Joe Connelly opens the ambulance door and takes the reader on a harrying ride. This book shows the reader a side of the EMS that can only be told by someone who has been there. Not only does the reader travel through the dark canyons of Manhattan with its dead and dying but also the dark canyons of Frank Pierce's mind. Frank struggles with remorse and guilt for those he could not save. Their ghosts haunt him. He waits for that one call that will change his luck and give meaning to his life and job. Throughout the book Frank teeters on the edge of sanity and keeps the reader wondering if he is going to make it.

Brilliant first book. Whether Connelly will turn out to give us more first rate material or we find this was the book he had to write doesn't much matter. I wanted to read it before I see Scorcese's movie and I'm glad I did. The vivid passages describing the effects of emergency medicine on the stone cold body are entrancing. And I identify with the burnt out ambulance driver as the 'beyond disillusionment' metaphor of all the idealist American generations since WWII. As real and surreal as it gets --- don't miss this book.

While most EMS related books are basicly war stories rehashed by medics looking to spread thier glory stories, Bringing Out The Dead is somthing different.

Joe Connelly, obviously writing from experience, brings the reader into the mind of an inner-city medic. Being a paramedic which worked within the city of Detroit for eight years, I know the familiar feelings of burnout, not knowing if you can do the job another day - but hanging in there waiting for the next big 'save'. Joe Connelly brings the average layperson into the ambulance, into the mind of the paramedic struggling to deal with taking credit for saving lives, and inwardly taking credit for not saving some lives.

This book is a must read for any EMS professional, and anyone who wants to know what real EMS is like in the inner-city.

I just wrote a review of Australia Handbook and decided to have a look at the reviews for Lonely Planet's Australia guide. I bought both books as well as Frommer's and Fodor's guides for my trip to Australia. I have used many Lonely Planet guides through the years, but must agree with the comments of other posted reviews--it is oriented almostly solely to young people out looking for a a job picking fruit and wanting to know the latest nightclub hotspot. I did find the first sections of this book to be thorough on the country's history and what to expect, but as for myself and my wife (40 year olds staying in motels and with a rental car) it was useless once we got there. Lonely Planet is also way behind when it comes to listing websites.

These books may serve budget travelers well, but for my money, it's the Frommer's or Moon book.

Australia is such a vast and diverse nation that it is impossible to cover the entire country in one book.

Lonely Planet was a great starting ground. It gave excellent overviews of all of the major cities, the best of the outback, and the superb national parks. Lonely Planet also publishes guides for every Australian state, a few areas, and many smaller guides to dining, and the cities.

My advice to any traveler to Australia is to read LP Australia before departing. Then, once you have a clear idea of what you want to see, read the LP guides specific to that area. Lonely Planet is by far the best for Australia that I have seen out there.

The new 11th edition (May 2002)of this Lonely Planet Guide is excellent. I grew up in Australia and travel back frequently. The publisher is based in Melbourne, so this book has unique "at the source" information and tips. This updated edition solves most of the problems of previous editions. Yes, things change -- so always refer to the most recent edition available. Australia is a fascinating island continent.