Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Do No Harm
- Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery
- Narrated by: Jim Barclay
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £17.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Editor reviews
Summary
What is it really like to be a brain surgeon, to hold someone's life in your hands, to drill down into the stuff that creates thought, feeling and reason?
In this brutally honest account, one of the country's top neurosurgeons reveals what it is to play god in life-and-death situations. Henry Marsh gives us a rare insight into the intense drama of the operating theatre and the exquisite complexity of the human brain.
What listeners say about Do No Harm
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Mr A Wiseman
- 08-02-18
Brilliantly honest and entertaining
Loved it. A compelling account of the life of a surgeon - warts and all!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eva
- 27-11-20
A heart felt portrail of a career in neurosurgery
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a candid account of the trials and tribulations of Mr Marshes career. The book is set out in a case study style, with medical/life/career scenarios discussed within. There really is something for everyone in this book, technical terms and concepts are explained with the skill one could expect from a seasoned professional. He discusses the moral and ethical dilemmas faced within his career and the field in general as well as incorporating some very charming stories. Some even had me at the point of tears!
The narration was on the whole very good. The narrator has an interesting and very textured voice which I thought suited the book pretty well, he also demonstrates an expansive skill for accents.
Negatives
as mentioned by other reviews, the narrator voices most of the patients with local accents, almost making it seem like they are all simple, blue collar types - especially those who were difficult or awkward to treat.
At times the author can seem pompous with delusions of grandeur, however, I believe this is perhaps the intent. The book general follows the flow of his career chronologically and it seems the pomposity and hubris decreases as the book goes on in line with his inner feelings and awareness of mortality progress - so do bare with it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 31-10-18
Good book but not well read
I can’t help thinking that this should have been read by someone with a medical background
It just wasn’t right for me
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Shutterbug
- 23-10-20
Really interesting story pity about the narration
Mr Marsh’s story was very interesting so it was real pity that the narrator made him sound so pompous. I didn’t think that the words related to the tone.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jo Huddleston
- 17-11-19
Superbly Moreish!!
Husband suggested I read this and whilst the subject matter seemed a Little boring and potentially sad.... I loved it!!!
The writer and narrator synced perfectly and I couldn’t wait to get back in
the car !!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nikki
- 01-05-17
Fascinating
I loved this audible book it was so interesting as well as frustrating to see how the whole NHS staff cope these days with lack of beds, management directives etc. A great insight into the surgery of the brain, which had me shouting at the speaker with elation when someone survived to enjoy a long life. There are also many times when the outcome isn't so good 😞A great listen to any medical drama enthusiast !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- St Colms
- 15-07-17
Be Warned
Anyone facing major surgery, as so many of us do in later life, should listen to the stories from the medical battle field. Read with brio by Jim Barclay it gives invaluable insight into the thinking and feelings of a high achieving surgeon. Written with unflinching honesty he describes his successes and his failings. A bloody difficult man to manage but just the sort of person to entrust with your life. This a game changer of an audio book. One if the best I have ever listened to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dr R.
- 23-07-22
Good to listen, honest portrayal
Nice to hear honest views from a surgeon especially a neurosurgeon. would have been nice if the book had some sort of an ending rather than finishing abruptly after an anecdote.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Perry
- 22-02-15
Fascinating and Absorbing
If you could sum up Do No Harm in three words, what would they be?
Intriguing, moving and life affirming. It adds a humanity to an area of medical science that is life changing and terrifying for those who encounter it. The narration is strong if slightly monotone and almost works. It does lack the passion you get from an author reading on a subject like this
What about Jim Barclay’s performance did you like?
It is business like and has the ring of a consultant. It does lack passion though and can sound distant and observational which is at odds with the tone of the narrative.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Your mind in his hands...
Any additional comments?
Enjoyable and very sobering.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MR M J SMITH
- 20-10-17
Very enjoyable
Really enjoyed this book, so interesting and great narration. I would highly recommend it. Each chapter can be enjoyed on its own.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!