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zinelib's review
3.0
An anxious middle-aged food writer realizes that her anxiety is manageable when she's helping others, so she decides to become an EMT. Having lived with a 50-something EMT trainee and now EMT some of the memoir was relatable. It's nice to see Stern coming into herself and her (volunteer) profession. Content warning for fellow lefties and feminists, Stern is patriotic, pro-police, and refers to "firemen" instead of "fire fighters." Stern's writing is solid, but I don't think I'd want to hang out with her.
amandawoodruff's review
3.0
The stories about her EMT calls were interesting, but the endless talk of her depression, phobias, and other issues were too distracting. Woe Is Ambulance Girl.
I realize the author was trying to show the contrast between what she initially thought she could handle & what she ultimately had to do as an EMT. However, she constantly cast herself in a girly, "I'm too rich and scared of everything, and my custom cowboy boots are too fancy to deal with vomit" light that was really off-putting and always brought you back to the question of why the hell would someone like that (debilitating fears and all) choose to be a paramedic?
It seemed like every time the reader is able to feel good about Jane responding well to a call, Stern then had to berate herself for something else and remind the reader that she is still battling her fears, blaming her poor home life, & suffering in her marriage. *sigh*
We just want to be happy for you, Jane! It's cool that you became an EMT in your 50s despite being terrified to ride on a bus much less in an ambulance. Stop trying to convince us you're really a wimp because it just brings us down...
Coarsely written, sprinkled with a few typos. Decent, quick read for the interesting 911 calls.
I realize the author was trying to show the contrast between what she initially thought she could handle & what she ultimately had to do as an EMT. However, she constantly cast herself in a girly, "I'm too rich and scared of everything, and my custom cowboy boots are too fancy to deal with vomit" light that was really off-putting and always brought you back to the question of why the hell would someone like that (debilitating fears and all) choose to be a paramedic?
It seemed like every time the reader is able to feel good about Jane responding well to a call, Stern then had to berate herself for something else and remind the reader that she is still battling her fears, blaming her poor home life, & suffering in her marriage. *sigh*
We just want to be happy for you, Jane! It's cool that you became an EMT in your 50s despite being terrified to ride on a bus much less in an ambulance. Stop trying to convince us you're really a wimp because it just brings us down...
Coarsely written, sprinkled with a few typos. Decent, quick read for the interesting 911 calls.
streberkatze's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
aggeliki_obsolete's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was very interesting to see from the inside how things work in a fire station, the EMT training and the cases they had to work on, especially through the eyes of a person like Jane, with her phobias, depression and wit. It went from humourous to heart breaking and back to funny again and left me with a warm feeling and the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to.
graceprestley's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
msjenne's review
3.0
I'm not a big memoir fan, but I always like listening to the Sterns on The Splendid Table and a friend recommended this book.
It was a quick read and kind of a good story, of the kind that makes you go "I'm glad I'm not THAT person."
It was a quick read and kind of a good story, of the kind that makes you go "I'm glad I'm not THAT person."
ryner's review
4.0
Jane Stern, a middle-aged woman with all kinds of issues ranging from phobias and depression to anxiety and being overweight, tells the tale of how she did the unexpected (even to herself) and became a volunteer EMT for the small town of Georgetown, Connecticut. A writer by profession, Jane infuses her experiences responding to calls, riding in ambulances with victims and on-scene traumas with just the right amount of poignancy and humor. Readers may very well be inspired to become EMTs themselves.
dreesreads's review
3.0
I grabbed this book from a display at the library. I am familiar with the writing of Jane and Michael Stern--and their food writing is generally better!
Not that the writing was bad--this is a fast, interesting, and easy read. I found the really good parts to be those about the training, actual calls (even those that are wasted time--because those are a very real part of the job), and continuing ed. Those parts having to do with marital problems and the author's depression and loneliness were a bit too much. Or there just WAS too much--I am aware of the subtitle. But I think the Prozac and good therapist probably played a big part.
Worth the read if you enjoy this sort of thing, but not Earth-shattering.
Not that the writing was bad--this is a fast, interesting, and easy read. I found the really good parts to be those about the training, actual calls (even those that are wasted time--because those are a very real part of the job), and continuing ed. Those parts having to do with marital problems and the author's depression and loneliness were a bit too much. Or there just WAS too much--I am aware of the subtitle. But I think the Prozac and good therapist probably played a big part.
Worth the read if you enjoy this sort of thing, but not Earth-shattering.
kazen's review
3.0
I was charmed and entertained by this book, sometimes to the point of laughing out loud. I'm only giving three stars, though, because I realize I'm biased - I'm a medical interpreter and could see myself becoming an EMT if all Japanese suddenly fell out of my brain.
The best part of this book is probably Stern's voice - never self-pitying, never wallowing, often humorous, and a joy to read. Recommended if you're a medicine nut like myself or curious what a rural EMT goes through day in and day out.
The best part of this book is probably Stern's voice - never self-pitying, never wallowing, often humorous, and a joy to read. Recommended if you're a medicine nut like myself or curious what a rural EMT goes through day in and day out.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
Jane Stern is a contributing editor for Gourmet magazine. She's also a volunteer EMT. She's been nicknamed "Ambulance girl" by the community she serves. Ambulance Girl chronicles her journey from hypochondria and depression to finding purpose as an EMT.
Each chapter reads like a short story, often focusing on similar training or rescues. Although depression played a huge role in Stern's life she doesn't dwell on it in this upbeat memoir. She also doesn't over state her part in any rescue and never makes herself out to be the hero.
Reading this memoir made me want to get myself recertified with my first aid training. At a previous job I volunteered as an EMT for the company (two were needed per floor). While my training was no where near as rigorous as Stern's I have needed some of that knowledge when my kids have gotten hurt. As Stern points out in the book, it is reassuring and calming to know what to do in an emergency.
Ambulance Girl has also been adapted into a TV movie but I haven't seen it.
Each chapter reads like a short story, often focusing on similar training or rescues. Although depression played a huge role in Stern's life she doesn't dwell on it in this upbeat memoir. She also doesn't over state her part in any rescue and never makes herself out to be the hero.
Reading this memoir made me want to get myself recertified with my first aid training. At a previous job I volunteered as an EMT for the company (two were needed per floor). While my training was no where near as rigorous as Stern's I have needed some of that knowledge when my kids have gotten hurt. As Stern points out in the book, it is reassuring and calming to know what to do in an emergency.
Ambulance Girl has also been adapted into a TV movie but I haven't seen it.