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Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital
Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital | David Oshinsky
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."
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review
WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Mehso-so

The book started off slowly but gained momentum and ended well. The author wrote extensively about medical advancements in the beginning and then tied it in to the history of the hospital and I found it somewhat monotonous. I learned a lot of new words and a history of a hospital I hadn't been very aware of.

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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I've decided to start highlighting words that I have to look up this year. I like learning new things!

KellyK I‘ve put a vocabulary spread in my reading journal to keep track of unfamiliar words and their definitions. 3y
WorldsOkayestStepMom @KellyK that's a good idea! 3y
DivineDiana I tried to keep a small notebook to write down those new to me words. Problem was I didn‘t alway have the notebook while reading! 😂 3y
WorldsOkayestStepMom @DivineDiana I can 100% see myself having the exact same issue! 🙃🙃 3y
41 likes4 comments
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Mitch
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Pickpick

The organisations relentless instance on high quality, innovative health care - that is people centred, radical at times & always full of compassion and dignity - as a basic right of every person is front and centre here. Oshinsky champions it's outstanding medical research, operational effectiveness & its ability to welcome & treat everyone who passes through its doors. You can't help feel the fragility of it all though despite it's 300yr history

Chrissyreadit 🙌👏🙌 glad to see you liked it too. 4y
Mitch @Chrissyreadit It was really good particularly the second half - its so interesting how one organisation can stay so connected to its central mission over hundreds of years, independent of who's on the board, who's in power... it was great
4y
Amiable Ooh, this looks good! 4y
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kspenmoll This sounds good. My dad did a residency their late maybe 1948ish? Think I must read this!!! 4y
kspenmoll Thanks for your review; pulled me in. 4y
Mitch @kspenmoll oh you must! You‘ll find it fascinating.... 4y
Jessieleah I just started watching New Amsterdam (which is meant to be based on Bellevue) and find myself googling often about the hospital. What timing for this to show up on my feed! Definitely a TBR addition 😊 4y
Mitch @Jessieleah I watched that too- which lead me to the book! 4y
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Mitch
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My bookmark and my current read are totally in sync today! 🤩

Ruthiella Perfection! 🤩 4y
68 likes1 comment
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Mitch
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#thoughtfulthursday

Thanks for the tag @MoonWitch94
1- I‘d save Jon Snow ( swoon!!)
2- tricky - I like endings that are tidy but not obvious! I hate endings that scream “sequel” ....

What are you reading this week @Chrissyreadit and @Cupcake12 ?

Cupcake12 @Mitch Thank you for the tag. I‘m loving The Mysterious Benedict society. Your letter arrived today too 📮💌 (edited) 4y
Chrissyreadit Oh!! I can‘t wait to hear what you think about Bellevue! 4y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🌸📖☺️ Good choice for number 1! 4y
51 likes3 comments
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Crazeedi
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Pickpick

If you are interested in the story of this historic hospital, I highly recommend this book. The author takes us from the founding of this hospital, created to care for anyone whether or not they can afford to pay. That foundation remains to the present time. The details of the doctors, the colleges, the work and advances in medicine from the 1700's to the present all combine to make a fascinating read.

squirrelbrain I think this was one of the first books I stacked when I joined Litsy....and it‘s still there on the TBR list! Sounds wonderful.... 4y
65 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Chrissyreadit
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Pickpick

I listened on audio in between some other books- but honestly, this was a five star book for me. I highly recommend it for lovers of non fiction, medicine and New York City. I appreciated the depth and presentation of information, on an iconic place that represents so much more in so many ways.

GingerAntics This is definitely happening. I‘m obsessed with this hospital after falling in love with New Amsterdam. 5y
Chrissyreadit @GingerAntics I can‘t wait to hear what you think. 5y
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Chrissyreadit
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Has anyone else read this? It‘s a book I wish I could discuss. So many thoughts.

Chrissyreadit So many thoughts about Benders use of ECT, and lsd. I also recognize the idea that money will always drive treatment and research. 5y
Chrissyreadit Amazed to be reminded how often wealthy philanthropists contributed to the benefits of medical care. Another thought has been the concept of inherited trauma, and waves of extreme poverty in immigrants and illness. 5y
Chrissyreadit Another concept presented is that what was diagnosed as childhood schizophrenia may have been autism. 5y
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TheBookHippie It‘s on my wish list!!!! 5y
GingerAntics I read the book about Bellevue that inspired New Amsterdam. I think I‘m going to have to add this to my wish list!!! 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit I‘m always amazed at wealthy philanthropists contributing to medical treatment for all. It seems to not be the norm, at least now. It seems most people want to take the “not my problem” approach. It‘s refreshing to see people take a more communal approach. 5y
Chrissyreadit @GingerAntics the donations were in the 1800‘s - not recent. 5y
GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit of course *sigh* 5y
Hooked_on_books I haven‘t read it yet but plan to. It‘s been on my TBR for a while. I was in health care for 20 years and realized quite early on that it was about money. It was pretty disheartening, since that‘s not why I was there. But, ultimately, hospitals are businesses. 😣 5y
MelanieMefford Yes. I loved that book!! 5y
sblbooks I bought it in an audible sale. I haven't read it yet. 5y
Chrissyreadit @Hooked_on_books yes- this historical perspective really demonstrates the impact good medical care can have, and the limits of access to care simultaneously. It‘s nice to see the possibility but I‘m so frustrated by how little we have grown in many ways. It also touches on situations I worked with- such as individuals who had lobotomies for schizophrenia. I wonder if it was performed at Bellevue now. 5y
Chrissyreadit @MelanieMefford it has been a very good book! 5y
Chrissyreadit @sblbooks I look forward to hearing what you think when you do listen. Mine was from audible also. 5y
Chrissyreadit @GingerAntics I bet you will be better about sharing some amazing thoughts and quotes than I am. The upside of audible is I‘m listening while driving. The downside is not underlining or annotating. 5y
GingerAntics That is always really hard with audio. I‘ve been known to backtrack and pausing every three words and typing it out. 5y
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perfectsinner
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Pickpick

A fascinating, phenomenal read about the craziness (quite literally) of 3 centuries of medicine at one of the most famous hospitals in America. Highly, highly recommend!

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LiteraryLona
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Pickpick

This one is so very interesting!!

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daniwithtea
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Our Subaru is bright orange - we‘ve always joked that you‘d never lose it in a snowstorm. I guess we were wrong?

Hoping to finish up the tagged audiobook today. Just got to the chapter on AIDS, which is especially vivid after having read the oral history of Angels in America a few weeks ago.

Stay warm out there!

VeganCleopatra I see it! 🤗😏 6y
32 likes2 comments
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daniwithtea
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Messed up my back in my sleep (?!) Saturday night, so I‘m confined to a stack of pillows with a heating pad in bed or on the couch for a few days. At least I‘m getting through some audio books? Finished up Charms and Chocolate Chips, now a hard turn back into medical history. Someone is waiting for this one! (Thanks, Libby, for that new stressful feature...)

Eyelit Take care! 💚 6y
daniwithtea @Eyelit thanks! 6y
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ScientistSam
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I'm not getting nearly enough reading done this weekend so far, but at least #25in5 helped me to set aside time to finish the tagged book! And of course more time to read later in the weekend 😀
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Amazing what can get in the way of our reading time! Hope you have more success as the weekend progresses. Always feels satisfying to finish a book. 6y
ScientistSam @Andrew65 especially in the Thanksgiving to New Year holiday period! Thanks, I'm definitely appreciating setting aside some time for reading. 6y
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ScientistSam
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Pickpick

I'm not a big reader of non-fiction, but this book drew me in. Bellevue is such a legendary institution in New York and in the hospital world that it was fascinating to learn about its history. There is a lot of emphasis on the 19th century history, which in all fairness was formative for the institution and its mission.

Minimalgrl Loved this book!!!! 6y
Nute I can‘t wait to get to this book. It‘s taking a long time, but I keep hearing good things. 6y
ScientistSam @Nute it will be worth the wait! 6y
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SaraBeagle
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Pickpick

Interesting history of medicine, NY and the US as told through the lens of Bellevue Hospital. From the contributions of their doctors to Civil War battlefield medicines, to how the hospital and its staff handled the outbreak of AIDS, 9/11, and Hurricane Sandy.

Nebklvr I love nonfiction related to medicine. Will check it out 6y
SaraBeagle @Nebklvr He won the Pulitzer for his book on Polio. I have it, but haven‘t read it yet. 6y
Nebklvr @SaraBeagle I read that one! Didn‘t connect the name. It was very good. Nonfiction made readable! 6y
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MaggieCarr
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Pickpick

☆☆☆☆/☆ Tradionally I stay away from historical non-fiction but I was enamored from the start. Don't miss this one.

Built in 1738, New York's iconic Bellevue Hospital is colorful and horrifying place: crime victims, vicious psychopaths, derelicts, lunatics, and exotic- disease sufferers have history there. There was hardly an epidemic or social catastrophe or groundbreaking scientific advance that did not touch Bellevue, America's oldest hospital.

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Wife
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Mehso-so

Very, very detailed! Sooo much detail that I tended to zone out 😴...so I had to listen in small doses. That‘s not to say that I don‘t appreciate all the research and effort that went into this book. 2/5⭐️s

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ScientistSam
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Starting this chunkster.

Wife I started it on audiobook yesterday. So far it‘s good, but I‘m going to have to listen in small doses. Lots of details! 🌹 6y
ScientistSam @Wife yes, I'm just planning on reading a chapter at a time😁 6y
55 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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NatalieR
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Pickpick

Bellevue hospital has such an incredible history. This author does a great job detailing the centuries of history with all of the amazing medical discoveries done at Bellevue. I admire and congratulate all of the dedicated people who work here, present and past. #Nonfiction2018 #LitsyAtoZ #O #MountTBR

KatieCarpenter Gorgeous flowers!! 🌸 💐 6y
Reviewsbylola This sounds fascinating. Stacked! 6y
SharonGoforth This is on my TBR list - I‘ll get to it someday!! 6y
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NatalieR @KatieCarpenter Thank you! 😊 6y
NatalieR @Reviewsbylola Awesome! Hope you enjoy it. 6y
NatalieR @SharonGoforth I totally understand! 😀 6y
118 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Minimalgrl
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I‘m a native New Yorker... and my mom was born in Bellevue Hospital... so I‘m really looking forward to this!!

heyitsMacall YAS! This book is so great. I love hospital history 😍 6y
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MelanieMefford
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Pickpick

This book was incredible. Such a page turner, and so well written! I loved learning about the history of this fascinating hospital, medicine and Ny! Read it. So good.

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MelanieMefford
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Subtle, right? 😉

gibblr This sounds so interesting! 7y
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Librarybelle
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I read this one the beginning of the year and absolutely loved it! Wonderful history of the oldest public hospital in the US, and one that has had its share of misinformation about its purpose. Somewhat fitting for #misterasylum . #TuneIntoNovember

Cinfhen I had read a blurb about this book but forgot to add it...thanks for the reminder😀 7y
Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @Cinfhen ! 7y
emilyhaldi Dying to read this one! 7y
65 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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LauraJ
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Pickpick

Excellent history of the evolution of Bellevue Hospital and medicine.
#24in48 #nonfictionchallenge17

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LauraJ
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1. Los Angeles
2. Nope
3. Probably from @Liberty
4. San Kean's Cesar's Last Breath
5. I need coffee ☕️
6. Right here on Litsy!
#24in48

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LauraJ
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One psychiatric patient was "a woman who insisted she was the widow of President James Buchanan and the mother of his children, all of whom were cats."

Hmm, sounds like a plan ?

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Librarybelle
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I believe I gave all of these 5's this year...and if not, they are indeed standouts! #bestreadsof2017sofar #jubilantjuly

RealLifeReading Ok have to read Pachinko soon! 7y
Apinlibraryland I need to finish Bellevue-loved what I read so far! 7y
Librarybelle @Apinlibraryland So informative and well written...hope you continue to to enjoy it! 7y
30 likes3 comments
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bookculture
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After our fascinating event with author (and Pulitzer Prize winner!!) David Oshinsky earlier this week, a handful of us have the same #FridayReads: BELLEVUE!

BethFishReads This was sooooo good 8y
CouronneDhiver Sounds interesting! 8y
Lea Sounds intriguing 8y
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MelanieMefford I have on my book shelf, along with 50 or so other books I haven't read yet, but I'm excited to get there! 8y
cajunsyd Fascinating, added to my stack! 8y
mrozzz Waiting for the right in-between fiction moment to pick this up 👍🏻 7y
squirrelbrain Sounds really interesting - added to my stack! 7y
91 likes25 stack adds7 comments
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Cookierooks
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Looking forward to this one.

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heyitsMacall
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(On preparing for patients on 9/11)

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Hoopiefoot
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Some light Monday evening reading.

Karkar Sounds very interesting....will be interested to see what you think 8y
Suet624 Gulp. 8y
78 likes12 stack adds2 comments
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SharonGoforth
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Today's book haul photo no. 3 - two non-fiction titles and the new Joyce Carol Oates novel. #nosuchthingastoomanybooks #bookhaul

LeahBergen The Book Thieves is on my "must buy" list. ?? 8y
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Cinfhen Awesome choices 💜 8y
SharonGoforth @LeahBergen I wasn't aware of it until I saw it today - it sounds fascinating! 8y
58 likes6 comments
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RanaElizabeth
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Pickpick

Yellow fever, the Civil War, AIDS, Super Storm Sandy, and even the Affordable Care Act. This book covers about 300 years of medicine and the hospital. Completely recommend.

TeR On my list!!!! 8y
susanw I can't wait to read this one! 8y
BethFishReads This was sooooooo interesting 8y
58 likes7 stack adds3 comments
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heyitsMacall
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Oh how relevant

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RanaElizabeth
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I love a good medical history story and this one, about such a famous hospital, should be fascinating.

cathysaid Ooooh...looking forward to hearing what you think. 8y
EvieBee Yes! This one is on my Audible wishlist. Have you read? 8y
RanaElizabeth @EvieBee84 Oh! I haven't read that but it looks great, prions are so weird and awesome. Totally stacked. 8y
kspenmoll My dad interned there way back- maybe in late 40's, early 50's? I should find out when exactly!!!! 8y
RanaElizabeth @kspenmoll That's so cool! 8y
58 likes9 stack adds5 comments
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bookwormmichelle
Pickpick

Took me a bit to get through this but I think it was worth it - - fascinating history.

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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

First completed book of 2017, and I chose wisely. Amazing history of Bellevue and of medicine in general. I had no idea Bellevue and its physicians/diagnosticians played significant roles in various disease outbreaks since the late 1700s.

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Apinlibraryland
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Second audiobook of the year. This one will take me awhile, but it should be fascinating.

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Librarybelle
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Starting off 2017 with this...

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mostlycatsandcoffee
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Women still dealing with the same ol' 💩 these days.

Joybishoptx I almost bought this 8y
mostlycatsandcoffee @Joybishoptx It's good! I'm enjoying it. I will be honest that the first chapter or two is quite the information dump but if you can stick it out then it's enjoyable! 8y
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MLRio
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It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little pile of books 🌲📚🎁 #books #bookhaul #christmas #bookstagram @fsgbooks @penguinclassics @doubledaybooks

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OrangeMooseReads
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The history nerd in me was itching for this

Suzze I want that too. It sounds so interesting. 8y
22 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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mostlycatsandcoffee
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It's pouring out ☔️ and we're all sick at my house so this seems appropriate. Also, I love medical nonfiction. Not sure why. Probably because my mom is a nurse and I've grown up with gross dinner conversation. 😛

MrBook I just saw this at the bookstore this week! Shoot, I heard this author interviewed recently on a podcast about this book, but I listen to so many that I can't remember which one 😂👏🏻. 8y
ReadingOver50 Sounds interesting 8y
14 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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BethFishReads
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Guys, I just started listening to this history of one of the oldest hospitals in the United States. I was drawn in almost immediately. I see this as a marathon listen. Fred Sanders is an amazing narrator. The photo has nothing to do with anything except to say it's a good day to be inside reading.

Jenshootsweddings Ooooooh that sounds fantastic! 8y
LeahBergen Sounds amazing! 8y
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DebinHawaii It sounds really interesting! 🤓👍 8y
DebinHawaii And great snowy pic BTW! 8y
BethFishReads @DebinHawaii thanks. Hoping it stays around for Christmas ☃️❄️🌨🎄 8y
Mbt1963 I love that book!! 8y
59 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Arbol
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Pickpick

This is an excellent history of an institution that influenced the practice of medicine in the U.S. It is a dense read that covers the growth of New York, the impact of infrastructure (namely lack thereof) on hygiene and health, philosophies of care and the people, both caregivers and patients, who entered the hospital. There is a lot of info and it's not as "readable" as a lot of pop NF these days (Erik Larson) but still very, very good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Fancypants
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Never been a big non fiction reader and I'm working on changing that and so excited to read this one.

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Arbol
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This is really fascinating. I had no idea how integral this hospital and its founders were to the early practice of medicine in the U. S. A really great book though I do not like the reader and may have to switch to print soon. #BooksfromSteinbeck

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bookishkai
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Some of today's ebook deal purchases (and some that weren't deals or weren't purchased today). Up next: Throwing Stones, and then Saving Alex.

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Mbt1963
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A perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday with a cold😷😷

RaimeyGallant A belated welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Here's a bunch of #LitsyTips I put together in a post a couple of weeks ago: http://litsy.com/p/RzZCTVZYU1ND 7y
monkeygirlsmama Welcome to Litsy! 😺This sounds like an interesting read. 7y
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