blakemp's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, this collection of vignettes in the life of a London ambulance driver is a fast, entertaining and ultimately uplifting read. It's not like any other book I'm familiar with, but it's highly entertaining and well worth your time.
dajna's review
3.0
Read the first one, couldn't wait to read the second. I do agree with all of Mr Reynolds opinions about drunk people and people who abuse of the ambulance service, and although I, too, watch some medical drama on tv I prefer his stories from real life.
The anecdotes seem endless, but you'll soon discover a pattern of good jobs and bad jobs, with total idiots popping up every few pages. Whoever worked with the general public knows the feeling , but Reynolds and his partners have a really demanding job. And they're doing it quite well.
The anecdotes seem endless, but you'll soon discover a pattern of good jobs and bad jobs, with total idiots popping up every few pages. Whoever worked with the general public knows the feeling , but Reynolds and his partners have a really demanding job. And they're doing it quite well.
bayres's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
felinity's review
3.0
I'm mixed about this one. The style is either straightforward, or overly simple (depending on your viewpoint); the writing is obviously adapted from a blog, which makes it ideal for a few minutes here and there; the stories are balanced so you don't come away wondering what idiot puts themself through that all the time, but are also slightly repetitive.
I enjoyed reading it, and I definitely got an insight into the life of an ambulance driver, but it might be slightly annoying in actual book form.
I enjoyed reading it, and I definitely got an insight into the life of an ambulance driver, but it might be slightly annoying in actual book form.
caitie95's review against another edition
4.0
Very funny, and everything else. An interesting look at what a typical ambulance driver gets up to.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
A great follow up to blood, sweat and tea, the experiences of a London ambulance technician. Agree with everything he says and working for the NHS myself, feel they are very much under valued and under paid.
cheryl6of8's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable and honest look at the life an ambulance EMT in London, taken from his blog. It is an indictment of the British NHS and its bureaucracy and the erosive effects of privatization. It is a look at the problems afflicting the poor and the elderly. And it is a reminder of the thankless work by so many people that make a little bit of the world that much better for all of us.
I was glad to get a chance to read this. The structure of the book made it easy for me because I could pick it up and put it down again at will. With all the things I am juggling right now that was appreciated.
I was glad to get a chance to read this. The structure of the book made it easy for me because I could pick it up and put it down again at will. With all the things I am juggling right now that was appreciated.
readinggrrl's review
3.0
Stories from his blog, Tom writes about his experiences working on an ambulance in London. He isn't too keen on General Practitioners (GP's) or those who don't seem to care about their patients after they have called the ambulance and his mood doesn't improve when he gets called to help people who are just too lazy to call for a cab. He is not thrilled with the state of the system he works within and believes (and I have to agree) that those who use the ambulance as a taxi service should have to pay instead of the taxpayers whose money supports the ambulance service. It sounds like he is very down on his job but its exactly the opposite. I think he loves what he does, and believes that the people deserve more. Ambulances that don't show up for way too long because there aren't enough, or are out on bogus calls, and equipment that just isn't available and should be are some of the things he hopes to remedy. Maybe the government should read his book and take a look at their system.
Often written as humorous anecdotes, Reynolds short snippets inside the life of an ambulance worker are inspiring as well as sad.
Often written as humorous anecdotes, Reynolds short snippets inside the life of an ambulance worker are inspiring as well as sad.
zoic's review against another edition
3.0
Fun stories for those of us who have been involved in EMS in someway (or are interested in the life of a big-city ambulance attendant).
Plus, it is set in London my big-city obsession du jour.
Plus, it is set in London my big-city obsession du jour.
sticksnstout's review
4.0
A collection of blogs by a London ambulance driver. They're funny, tragic and maddening. And Oh the horror of government run healthcare!