Fragile Lives

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SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY PRIZE, THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.2 BESTSELLER, WINNER OF THE BMA PRESIDENT'S AWARD 2017. This incredible memoir from a leading heart surgeon recounts some of the most remarkable and poignant cases he has encountered. The delicate balance between life and death is ever-present, as a single misstep can lead to tragedy. In the operating room, there is no room for doubt—only the raw reality of flesh, blood, and the urgent need to revive a beating heart. The steep learning curve of cardiac surgery comes with profound consequences, often measured in human lives. Professor Stephen Westaby, known for pushing the boundaries of heart surgery, saved hundreds over his thirty-five-year career. In this memoir, he shares extraordinary cases, including a baby who endured multiple heart attacks by six months, a woman living with locked-in syndrome, and a man reliant on a battery for eight years. This powerful and moving book provides an exceptional insight into the exhilarating yet tragic world of heart surgery, capturing the emotional weight of holding someone's life in your hands.