It looked for a while like Michael Collins would spend his life breaking concrete and throwing rocks for the Vittorio Scalese Construction Company. He liked the work and he liked the pay. But a chance remark by one of his coworkers made him realize that he wanted to involve himself in something bigger, something more meaningful than crushing rocks and drinking beer. In his acclaimed first memoir, Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Collins wrote passionately about his four-year surgical residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs turns back the clock, taking readers from his days as a construction worker to his entry into medical school, expertly infusing his journey to become a doctor with humanity, compassion and humor. From the first time he delivers a baby to being surrounded by death and pain on a daily basis, Collins compellingly writes about how medicine makes him confront, in a very deep and personal way, the nature of God and suffering—and how delicate life can be.
Michael J. Collins, M.D., served as the Chief Resident in Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and is now a successful orthopedic surgeon. He is the author of the acclaimed medical memoir Hot Lights, Cold Steel. He lives in Hinsdale, Illinois.
It looked for a while like Michael Collins would spend his life breaking concrete and throwing rocks for the Vittorio Scalese Construction Company. He liked the work and he liked the pay. But a chance remark by one of his coworkers made him realize that he wanted to involve himself in something bigger, something more meaningful than crushing rocks and drinking beer.
In his acclaimed first memoir, Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Collins wrote passionately about his four-year surgical residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs turns back the clock, taking readers from his days as a construction worker to his entry into medical school, expertly infusing his journey to become a doctor with humanity, compassion, and humor. From the first time he delivers a baby to being surrounded by death and pain on a daily basis, Collins compellingly writes about how medicine makes him confront, in a deep and personal way, the nature of God and suffering—and how delicate life can be.
"Collins's gritty memoir traces his journey from a grimy construction pit to the hallowed halls of medicine. An engaging read—and a valuable reminder that doctors come from all walks of life."—Sandeep Jauhar, author of Intern
"Michael Collins's first book about his surgical training was a marvel for the way the powerful yet unadorned prose pulled you into a thrilling experience. Now he brings that same magic to an earlier and perhaps even more interesting chapter of his life: medical school and the years preceding. Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs is a gripping, humane, humorous, and enlightening read."—Abraham Verghese, author of My Own Country, The Tennis Partner, and Cutting for Stone
"Collins has a superb ear for dialogue, and his breezy style makes his world spring to life."—Kirkus Reviews
"Collins has a poet's soul, whether describing the sunrise through a laborer's eyes or what it means to be human through a physician's . . . Literary talent produces this fast-paced memoir filled with easy, unforced dialogue and authentic characters from all walks of life."—Booklist
"This is a perceptive, no-frills memoir of a surgeon who succeeded by dint of hard work and brains."—Publishers Weekly
Witty and FunnyFebruary 20, 2010 JH(Lincoln, NE USA) A coming-of-age story about the author's non-traditional path to medical school, the book is a quick read. His first person perspective captures the emotions of a neurotic premed a few years older than the rest of his class, to a grateful and neurotic medical student who eventually develops the confidence to "cut it" in the strange and wonderful environment of medical school. Witty and funny, the author captures details that only a self-aware individual could catch. I was pleased to read this book, and look forward to the next book by Doctor Collins.
Good, but not as good as his first oneFebruary 17, 2010 Cordell M. Tolstad(green valley, az) 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Good, but not as good as his first. I admire his work ethic, he better have a good attitude with all those kids!
Great Author, Great DoctorFebruary 15, 2010 Grandma Moses(Chicago, IL United States) Just as entertaining and informative as Collins' first book "Hot Lights, Cold Steel." It is a fast read in that it's hard to put down. Collins describes how he decided to become a doctor and his life during medical school at Loyola. Only complaint I have is that he would have written this book before "Hot Lights, Cold Steel."
Not a book just about medicineJanuary 24, 2010 T. Grace(New York) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is my first review. I read Collins' first book - 'The Making of a Surgeon' - which I thought was terrific. I have read a lot about medicine but But 'Blue Collar' really takes the cake. This is truly a book about life. It happens to be a doctor's life but it covers the whole scope of a person's efforts to find the right job, have the fortitude to pursue it, find the right gal - and his wife is just fabulous - and so on. It's exciting in many parts but so touching in his relationships, so HONEST in his reflections as an MD. I just loved it. As I said it is a book about out life which is by the way very humorous and well written to boot.
Fascinating storyDecember 21, 2009 A. L. Caissie(Garden Grove, CA United States) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Dr Michael Collins' transition from road crew laborer to medical school student makes for a fascinating read. Almost on a whim he decides to attend medical school, despite not actually being prepared for that course of study. I plowed through the book, eager to see what obstacle he would face next and how he would overcome it. I enjoyed this book so much that I ordered his previous book before I had even finished this one. Hopefully, he will write a book (or several) about the experiences he has had as an orthopedic surgeon.
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