From a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian comes a riveting history of New York's iconic public hospital that charts the turbulent rise of American medicine. Bellevue Hospital; on New York City's East Side; occupies a colorful and horrifying place in the public imagination: a den of mangled crime victims; vicious psychopaths; assorted derelicts; lunatics; and exotic-disease sufferers. In its two and a half centuries of service; there was hardly an epidemic or social catastrophe—or groundbreaking scientific advance—that did not touch Bellevue.David Oshinsky; whose last book; Polio: An American Story; was awarded a Pulitzer Prize; chronicles the history of America's oldest hospital and in so doing also charts the rise of New York to the nation's preeminent city; the path of American medicine from butchery and quackery to a professional and scientific endeavor; and the growth of a civic institution. From its origins in 1738 as an almshouse and pesthouse; Bellevue today is a revered public hospital bringing first-class care to anyone in need. With its diverse; ailing; and unprotesting patient population; the hospital was a natural laboratory for the nation's first clinical research. It treated tens of thousands of Civil War soldiers; launched the first civilian ambulance corps and the first nursing school for women; pioneered medical photography and psychiatric treatment; and spurred New York City to establish the country's first official Board of Health. As medical technology advanced; "voluntary" hospitals began to seek out patients willing to pay for their care. For charity cases; it was left to Bellevue to fill the void. The latter decades of the twentieth century brought rampant crime; drug addiction; and homelessness to the nation's struggling cities—problems that called a public hospital's very survival into question. It took the AIDS crisis to cement Bellevue's enduring place as New York's ultimate safety net; the iconic hospital of last resort. Lively; page-turning; fascinating; Bellevue is essential American history.
#120881 in Books Jon T Hoffman 2002-08-13 2002-08-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.40 x 6.00l; 1.64 #File Name: 037576044X672 pagesChesty The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B Puller USMC
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The interesting life of a true Marine legend written by and foremost for MarinesBy Flying PhotographerLG Lewis 'Chesty' Puller is a true icon of USMC's history; and one that is acclaimed and revered by Enlisted men as well as NCOs and Officers for his battle courage and his attitude towards leading from the front while caring for your men. Even considering that his life is rather well recorded in countless official documents and many eye-witnesses were still alive when this book was written; nobody had attempted to provide a complete and as unbiased as possible account not only of his accomplishments but also about the person behind the legend.One could argue that a fellow Marine is well or actually ill suited to write such an account; with many arguments readily available for either view; and this book evidently seems to show this ambivalent view. On one side the author; as a USMC Reserve Officer; is well prepared to write about the many battle engagements and particularly about the special bond 'Chesty' was able to develop with the troops under his command. However; the same fact implies that at lengths this book is difficult to understand for non-military readers; and even worse; the author tries to clarify some aspects which clearly are only interesting for Marines or very die-hard Marine fans. As such; unfortunately part of the reading experience for the general public is spoiled; and in the end the reader seems to have read a USMC internal document; written by Marines for Marines. And it is a shame; since his life is really interesting and the author presents a lot of good descriptions paired with intelligent analysis and worthwhile conclusions.While the photographs are indeed very interesting; they seem to be a little too sparse for such a volume. Overall; this is an interesting; well-researched and lengthy book about one of 'The' Marines; but the reader will need some military background; preferably USMC; to really grasp the full content; and as such it loses a couple of stars.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Best book on the ultimate Marine.By Bill HenslerThis book is flat out excellent. Marines must be proud to have such an ultimate legacy in their ranks.This book is much better than the earlier Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller. This book covers the early life; WWI era enlistment; Marine service life in Latin America; trials of getting a commission; WWII service; and Korean War service of Chesty Puller.For the USA the Great War was a short war. Chesty had tried to go through officer training but when the war ended in 1918 and the cut backs hit in 1919. I was very happy with the author's narrative of Chesty's life. It totally explained his early service.In the book; Marine; it did a fair job as a narrative of Puller's Latin American service. What was surprising to this reviewer was Chesty got to know a lot of the Marine junior officers in the 1920s who ended up being the commanding officers during WWII. I was sort of surprised what General Smith had to say about Chesty. I had never read that point of view. You'll have to read the book and I will not spoil it for you.Additionally; I was sort of surprised about what the author said of Chesty's view of "Service Schools" and how it detracted from field experence. However; this lack of higher command schools catches up with Chesty in spades during the fighting in the Pacific. Chesty didn't have the knowledge back ground for some of the artillery fires needed to support his units. I was rather surprised that he didn't lobby harder for direct support of 75mm howitzers and 57mm anti-tank guns. The author has nothing but excellent praise of Chesty but he is not afraid to point out Chesty's short comings.But Chesty is like is far cousin; George S. Patton; and Chesty's leadership comes to front during the fight in Korea. This book makes it clear: if Chesty had not been in Korea then the U.N. Army Groups in Korea may have been destroyed by the Communist Ground forces. During the American Civil War the Confederate General Lee lamented that "Union forces are protected by Providence." In Korea the Marines were lead by the perfect leader - Chesty - who knew how the enemy operated; how to demonstrate leadership at the front; and could motivate the men in the worst of conditions.When Chesty leaves Korea (and the author makes it darn clear that Truman isn't the saint the media says he is) he is assigned to a training unit. During this time and up the time of Chesty's retirement the Marine is a colorful interview for the media and his comment "whiskey drinking soldiers" becomes part of the 1950s lexicon. Chesty meant well and what he means is your soldiers need tough physical conditioning. The Germans in WWII felt the same way; "Sweat saves blood."Chesty leaves the Marines because of medical reasons. The Author says that Chesty had a 199/150 blood pressure rate. The typical for a 53 year old man should be no higher than 120/90. Chesty has a stroke and is discharged. Medical science was not quite as understood today as in the '50s. One of Chesty's commanders wants his discharged because - a correct observation is made - command would kill the Marine.I was surprised that the book tells that Chesty is sued over the book Marine. The lawsuit is settled for $30;000 which is a hefty settlement in the early 1960s.Chesty's personal life is both happy and sad. His family is successful but his son is badly wounded in Vietnam. Chesty dies in 1971 to a grateful for his service Marine Corps.All Army and Marine Junior Officers can learn a good deal from this book. Train your men well and respect them. Keep things simple in training and focus on tasks. Be honest in dealing with service members and your superiors. Eat healthy and don't smoke (Chesty had a stroke at 54 directly linked to tobacco and diet).This was a wonderful book.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommended. I suggest reading it with Burke Davis' MarineBy Don JilliskyChesty was a man with his own frailities long before he was a Marine Corps legend. That is revealed in his personal letters to his wife; Virginia. Nonetheless; he was a patriot and warrior who held himself to the highest standards. This book is about the courage and principal that defines the culture of the Marine Corps to this very day. In this individual we see the embodiment of what the Marine Corps aspires to be. Highly recommended. I suggest reading it with Burke Davis' Marine; Puller's "autobiography" in the other hand.
