Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside

by Katrina Firlik

Book Overview

Katrina Firlik is a neurosurgeon, one of only two hundred or so women among the alpha males who dominate this high-pressure, high-prestige medical specialty. She is also a superbly gifted writer-witty, insightful, at once deeply humane and refreshingly wry. In Another Day in the Frontal Lobe, Dr. Firlik draws on this rare combination to create a neurosurgeon's Kitchen Confidential-a unique insider's memoir of a fascinating profession.

Neurosurgeons...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812973402
• ISBN13: 9780812973402
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Random House Trade
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

She gives me hope

I have epilepsy from a head injury ten years ago. I have tried ten different medications as well as the Vagus Nerve Stimulator. Nothing seems to help. My doctor recently referred me to an Epilepsy Center. Knowing this is the first step toward brain surgery, I picked up this book to better understand those who may treat me. I appreciate Ms. Firlik for sharing her world with those of us stuck in the treatment spiral. I was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED by the thought of brain surgery. I'm now at ease, almost excited to be honest, that this next step may be available to me. Her book is more valuable than any doctor saying simply 'it's commonplace now' or giving statistics on the success rates. She's pushed aside my fear and opened my mind (no pun intended) to a whole new avenue of treatment. For those of you who had a problem with the book, read it from the patient's perspective. She has not made this book into a self promoting platform. I found her to be very honest and open about her shortcomings. It's about the process of becoming a neurosurgeon and it's told from the student's perspective. It would read like a textbook if written any other way. I'm recommending this book to everyone I know. If you have a problem possibly treatable through brain surgery, read this book. You'll feel more at ease.

If I only had ... a brain

I approached Dr. Firlik's book with some trepidation, having undergone brain surgery a few years ago for a diving board accident of all things. I wasn't sure I really wanted to know what might have gone on when the door to my skull was opened. But I'm glad I did if only to appreciate what it takes to become a neurosurgeon. I really couldn't put this book down. From the cute but sad baby story to the question that I'm not sure is ever answered - what color is the brain? - It's nice to know someone on the other end of a scalpel appreciates another 24 hours as much as I do now.

A Writer is Born

Whoa, can this woman write! It's an adventure following along this highly intelligent but very unusual young woman as she narrates the path to becoming a neurosurgeon, and the adventures encountered along the way and on arrival (not for the faint of heart). Her cool head, surprising combination of scientific detachment and human sympathy make her a truly unique voice, and she describes a world most of us will never view. It's like a fascinating voyage to a strange planet, and highly, highly entertaining. Recommended.

This Is Brain Surgery

This chatty and breezy autobiography is the life of Katrina Firlik, MD. The author is having a conversation with the reader, doing an engaging monologue on her life (her dad was a MD) and on her work (neurosurgeons seems to be the Marines of the medical profession). Her tales of her patients are fascinating as severe injuries are not life-altering (like a nail in the brain) and tumors are the nightmares of her speciality. She writes well enough to have a second career as an author when neurosurgery no longer challenges her -- which will be a pity since she seems to be a pretty good doctor.

Fascinating read

As a mother of a boy who underwent brain surgery (fortunately successful), I was naturally drawn to this title. What I hadn't expected was to find it such a fascinating and fun read. I simply couldn't put the book down. Dr. Firlik is as talented a writer as she obviously is a surgeon (and why not, how many doctors would name Raymond Carver as one of their favorite authors - most I would venture to guess, wouldn't even know his name). I learned a great deal from this book - some of which I was glad I didn't know before my son's surgery. I can't imagine anyone, whether or not they have faced neurosurgery, not enjoying this book.