Stuart Gray is a paramedic dealing with the worst life can throw at him. A Paramedic's Diary is his gripping, blow-by-blow account of a year in on the streets - 12 rollercoaster months of enormous highs and tragic lows. One day he'll save a young mother's life as she gives birth, the next he might watch a young girl die on the tarmac in front of him after a hit-and-run. A gripping, entertaining and often amusing read by a talented new writer.
A PARAMEDIC'S DIARY: Life and Death on the Streets
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Ben
Format:Paperback
Being a paramedic myself I felt a little sad buying this book but my other half convinced me it wasn't and I'm glad she did. This book is the first book in a long time where i've picked it up and couldn't stop reading it, I had it done in 3 days! It must be record for me lol.
The book is really easy to read which makes it so addictive. The chaptering is excellent with each covering a different area of Ambulance life e.g. 'Hoax callers and timewaster', 'creepy calls', 'hit and run', 'sensory insults' (this chapter was probably my favourite) and many more.
I was expecting a little more humour but it was a bit thin although that made no differnece to the enjoyment of the book. The book mainly expresses the feelings and opinions of the author, I found I could relate to these easily as would any other EMT/Para working for the NHS, this doesn't make it any less enjoyable for some one outside the Ambulance service though. It does provide a real insight into what crews have to deal with day/night 365 effectively behind the scenes in what often appears to be an unseen world raising many points/issues that people don't realise crews have to face (It's not what the T.V. makes the job out to be).
Over all the book is a real journey of emotion, insight and hopefully a new awareness. In an easy to read book perfect for tackling is small sections if time is limited or you just want to escape for 20 min. The descriptions make it easy to picture the events in your imagination, and for the faint hearted there isn't much in the way of blood and gore.
A very enjoyable must read for absolutely any one.... Read more ›
The book is really easy to read which makes it so addictive. The chaptering is excellent with each covering a different area of Ambulance life e.g. 'Hoax callers and timewaster', 'creepy calls', 'hit and run', 'sensory insults' (this chapter was probably my favourite) and many more.
I was expecting a little more humour but it was a bit thin although that made no differnece to the enjoyment of the book. The book mainly expresses the feelings and opinions of the author, I found I could relate to these easily as would any other EMT/Para working for the NHS, this doesn't make it any less enjoyable for some one outside the Ambulance service though. It does provide a real insight into what crews have to deal with day/night 365 effectively behind the scenes in what often appears to be an unseen world raising many points/issues that people don't realise crews have to face (It's not what the T.V. makes the job out to be).
Over all the book is a real journey of emotion, insight and hopefully a new awareness. In an easy to read book perfect for tackling is small sections if time is limited or you just want to escape for 20 min. The descriptions make it easy to picture the events in your imagination, and for the faint hearted there isn't much in the way of blood and gore.
A very enjoyable must read for absolutely any one.... Read more ›
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
great book giving a insight of the ups and downs of the work of a busy london paramedic,could'nt put it down once i started it would recommend to anybody with an interest in ambulance/emergency services,
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Craigie
Format:Paperback
This book opens a window onto what is realy out there. A world most people either don't see or choose to ignore. The book made me sad, angry, laugh out loud and glad that there are people out there, like Stuart, willing to do the job. An incite into the front line of the NHS (not just in London). A Great Read
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Too often we take the emergency services for granted. This book describes the work of a paramedic and his views on what he does. Both the highs and lows are described in easy to read short chapters. If you only have a 15 minute break this will fill it without leaving you trying to remember what you read previously when you pick it back up later.
This is one of the few books I have recommended to people and then had them recommended it to others. Terminology, where used, is explained in easy to use terms and allows me to get a whole new appreciation of how tough being a paramedic is and what they have to put up with but also why they do it.
This is one of the few books I have recommended to people and then had them recommended it to others. Terminology, where used, is explained in easy to use terms and allows me to get a whole new appreciation of how tough being a paramedic is and what they have to put up with but also why they do it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I find books like this totally engrossing. I wondered at first whether it was because human beings are always fascinated by others' misery and misfortune but I don't think that explains all the attraction. I think what interests me is how paramedics do their very difficult jobs and how they meet both antagonism and acceptance in the community. The stoicism of the people they treat and the way some survive against almost impossible odds. The most heart-wrenching calls are those involving children or babies but some of the calls involving the elderly also brought tears to my eyes.
I find the contrast between those who will call an ambulance for trivial things or because they are too bone idle to walk a few hundred yards and those who should have asked for help days ago unbelievable at times. I am always amazed at how much of ambulance work and paramedic work involves dealing with drugs overdoses and those who have imbibed alcohol too well rather than wisely - especially on New Year's Eve. Perhaps there should be different ways of dealing with such self-inflicted problems.
Most books like this include sections on hoaxers and those who are faking their illnesses for whatever reason and this book is no exception. Chest pains will always get you medical attention but the attention may not last beyond arrival at hospital if the hospital staff are aware of you as a `frequent flyer'. But `frequent flyers' can also be people who are genuinely ill but who need frequent hospital stays.
Once you start reading this book you just have to keep going while you marvel at the resilience, compassion and sheer nastiness of the human race. These qualities are no respecter of race class creed or wealth and can be found wherever there are people.... Read more ›
I find the contrast between those who will call an ambulance for trivial things or because they are too bone idle to walk a few hundred yards and those who should have asked for help days ago unbelievable at times. I am always amazed at how much of ambulance work and paramedic work involves dealing with drugs overdoses and those who have imbibed alcohol too well rather than wisely - especially on New Year's Eve. Perhaps there should be different ways of dealing with such self-inflicted problems.
Most books like this include sections on hoaxers and those who are faking their illnesses for whatever reason and this book is no exception. Chest pains will always get you medical attention but the attention may not last beyond arrival at hospital if the hospital staff are aware of you as a `frequent flyer'. But `frequent flyers' can also be people who are genuinely ill but who need frequent hospital stays.
Once you start reading this book you just have to keep going while you marvel at the resilience, compassion and sheer nastiness of the human race. These qualities are no respecter of race class creed or wealth and can be found wherever there are people.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By rocksey
Format:Paperback
made great reading - had trouble putting it down. may be a little on the graphic side for some, but i love the detail as it makes it seem more real somehow. have read others in the same vein(excuse the pun!), but the lack of 'blood and guts' made them quite bland, so would go for this type of book in preference.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
and an excellent read! Not only work but personal life comes into it, the effects of the job as well as the actuality of the day. Well worth a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A PARAMEDICS Diary
Amazing book well written, I couldn't put it down. Great insight into the working life of a London PARAMEDIC , highly recommended read.
Published 20 days ago by jay jay
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Paramedics Diary: Life and Death on the Streets
As a former Ambulance Technician of 33yrs, I found a lot in the book I could associate with. Well done.
Published 25 days ago by Robert William Browell
5.0 out of 5 stars
The author is a hero and a saint to put up with this...
After reading this, I was left horrified and with no hope for the future of humanity. The writer is calm, hardened and completely professional. We don't deserve him! He is a saint! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hamster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Very good and a great, informative read, well worth it. Couldnt put it down and read it in a couple of nights
Published 2 months ago by Nikkib
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rating of the book
I thought this book gave a great account of a paramedics experience, insightful from the authors account. Read more
Published 2 months ago by belinda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good
Good story and very well written. A real insight into the hard life of a paramedic. Definately worth a read.
Published 2 months ago by BDH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
A truly eye opening world into the trials and tribulations of a paramedics world. If only I had the nerve, I would love and hate to be a part of it!
Published 2 months ago by Stacey Pollard
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
A very good read.. full of humour as well as conveying the serious side of 'the job'
5 star. Look forward to reading his other books.
5 star. Look forward to reading his other books.
Published 3 months ago by Carolynn Wilkinson
3.0 out of 5 stars
We're all doomed!
I work in another branch of the emergency services but was curious to see what it was like from a Paramedics perspective. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mick T
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious, frustrating, but always honest.
An inspiring insight into the life of a London paramedic, Stuart Gray reveals the highs and lows of being on the front line of the NHS. Read more
Published 4 months ago by JTrain 87
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