Second thoughts of a surgical curmudgeon

This is a remarkable and valuable book, full of wisdom, information, and stimulating new perspectives on many subjects close to the heart of students and graduates of medicine. It is written in the concise interesting style of this master writer and historian with some gentle humor and whimsy. The book is a collection of 74 editorials, articles, and lectures by Ravitch, written between 1965 and 1984. The majority are brief and concise. Included is the full text of two superb lectures to the Alpha Omega Alpha. In one of these, for the first two thirds of his address, he apologizes to the audience for the inadequacies of their past education which, by design I am sure, would leave them totally "on side." Whereupon he quietly proceeds to deliver his "The focus must always be on the patient. Never lose sight of that." There is a fascinating piece of fiction with drama and suspense, published in Esquire, and a delightful spoof on "informed consent." - from review written by W.G. Bigelow, M.D.