Red Blanket: An uncensored memoir that reveals the underbelly of surgical training
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A woman stuck in an iron lung. A burn victim more than 100% likely to die. A thief shot twice in the penis. A psych patient chewing off her own face. A guy with a hole in his heart—and another man’s finger for a lifeline.These are just some of the true stories about people treated by Dr. John Harch during his surgical training at an inner-city trauma hospital in Los Angeles, California. Amidst unthinkable chaos, madness, and dark humor, the young medical resident contemplates how to survive while retaining his humanity. He struggles to balance 110-hour work weeks, love and lust, and the risk of dismissal from the very program that is his life’s goal. Read more
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : May 20, 2020
Language : English
File size : 3.7 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 428 pages
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Kindle
I have just completed reading “Red Blanket,” by Dr John Harch. I found it to be a wonderful book that was entertaining, enlightening, and even educational. By way of introduction, I too am a physician, and I had the pleasure of attending UCLA School of Medicine from 1978 to 1982. While there, John Harch and I were part of a small crew of “back row boys” known for jokes, snickers, and after school antics that were not much different from other graduate students of the times. I enjoyed great friendship with John as well as the other guys as we plowed through dissecting cadavers, peering into microscopes, and learning the fine art of doing a prostate exam. (Feel free to ask Dr Harch how he perfected that one! – Sorry John). The first 2 years of medical school were a time of great excitement with a few extra hours for fun and socializing. That pretty much ended as we moved into the last 2 years of doing clinical rotations. At that point we were sent all over LA to the best hospitals to be the fresh-faced grunts that had the long and arduous job of learning to become doctors. We rarely saw one another, and life got serious. Dr Harch clearly excelled at his clinic rotations, and for that reason (as well as his character) he was accepted into one of the most prestigious surgical residencies in the country. The rest is spelled out in his book. I would like to point out that I know John’s stories are true, and I can vouch for his infamous journal. At the few times we met up after residency he did share with us (lubricated as we all were by a little alcohol) some of these stories and he had our full attention. While we all had had incredible experiences – ours were incomparable to his. The significance of his experience--and that of all residents and especially surgeons who worked in inner city hospital--must considered. We must all consider, how many soldiers in any of our many battle fields witnessed this much violence, day in and day out for multiple years? How do these young doctors handle this without becoming embittered, cynical, heartless, and cold? The answer, partly, is humor. There are many books, television shows, and movies that give evidence to this. The book “House of God” the movies and TV series “M.A.S.H., “Scrubs,” “House,” and many, many others. The humor, dark as it is, is shared amongst those who carry the brunt of the burden. It relieves some of the stress, and prevents some of the tears. Distraction via sexual thoughts and fantasies is also very normal and, when appropriately controlled, quite acceptable. (Keep in mind the young age of these physicians.) It is important to realize that while some of the violence may have gotten better for a few years after Dr Harch graduated his residency, the onslaught of horror in America is still on full display at our inner-city hospitals in every major city in our country. And yet there is still a cadre of hardworking, dedicated, heroic residents and attendings who take the brunt of this burden, while fighting to keep their humanity and professionalism intact--and John Harch has shown us how it was done, then and now.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2022 by chris
Format: Kindle
Loved the book as I always love medical memoirs. I am amazed by Dr. Harch; I worked at a teaching hospital lab and the surgical residents were the worst to deal with. The nice ones didn't make the cut and became orthopods. Its nice to know that some surgeons maintain their humanity most of the time. After reading this book, I have an understanding of the demands placed on them physically and mentally. Plus testing humiliated by the faculty. See one, do one, teach one: the adage can mean more than surgical skill. It means watching how you treat others. It's also important for the reader to know that my experience and Dr. Harch's training took place before restrictions on work hours for trainees. Gone are every other night call. Amen!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026 by Yarngirl52
Format: Kindle
If you like reading medical stories then I think you will like this book. It is a lengthy read but the writer keeps it flowing well and includes just enough detail to make it interesting. The only things I didn't like about this book were the fact that the author uses the Lord's name in vain which is not needed in ANY circumstance for even if one doesn't believe in God (as this doctor/author states he does not), as a professional, one should still be respectful towards those of us who do. Plus such usage certainly doesn't add to the story. Being a writer, he could have found other ways to express frustration, anger etc. The other thing that the world needs less of is judgement. Referring to patients as "fat", " a lowlife ", " slugs", etc. is unprofessional and implies certain populations are somehow less worthy of respect or care and dignity. Beneath the "fat" or "crazy" person, doctor, lies a person who bleeds, cries and feels just like you do and just because you wear scrubs or a white coat or a top of the line suit that is well tailored and matches your brand new Italian leather shoes, doesn't give you a free pass to look down upon others! Now perhaps that wasn't your intention but as someone who struggles with weight AND has a diagnosis of PTSD as well as social work degrees, one must be mindful of not perpetuating further stigma on ANY population! Other than that, a solid read that held my interest and attention!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023 by Lori D'Amico
Format: Paperback
I laughed at all the right places and some inappropriate times too! I took a safe journey along side Dr. John Harch as he lived through his five years of surgical residency at LAC-USC MC. This medical memoir put me close enough for comfort (not too close for comfort) in a trauma hospital environment that would otherwise send my blood pressure soaring. I loved this front row seat to journal writings from years ago coming alive in an adventure story of real life medical challenges and the magical scalpel in hand that creates a brilliant surgeon. By the end, Red Blanket had me wishing to use that scalpel with just the right pressure to see what was coming next.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2020 by Sue Saunders
Format: Paperback
Red Blanket is the story of John Harch's five years as a surgical resident at LA County/USC Medical Center. Since this is a large public hospital/trauma center for the inner city, a river of stabbings, shootings, and incredibly bizarre cases surge through it in an unending torrent. It is astonishing. I planned to read for an hour or two before I went to bed - 5 hours later, I was completely caught up in the tsunami of events. Couldn't put it down. Dr. Harch kept a journal during his residency and he made the brilliant choice to re-live his time there through happening-on-the-spot dialogue, and riveting detail. You are truly the fly-on-the-wall as you experience everything: a roller coaster of emotions amid the insane pressures of making life and death decisions during a 110 hour work week. His personal life affords a change of pace and time for reflection and renewal as his relationship with his girlfriend progresses. This is a most intimate book, with John being vulnerable and honest as he evaluates his strengths and weaknesses, mistakes and successes. I cannot recommend this book too highly - it is an expose of surgical training as well as a personal journey.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020 by BiologyTeacher
Format: Kindle
This medical memoir is a page-turner. It has incredible stories, wonderful dialogue, and is very well organized. I found myself thinking about it when doing something else, and looking forward to returning to it. I truly enjoyed every chapter and page. I can recommend this also to both a medical and general audience. The medical jargon is very well explained and illuminating to anyone outside medicine. In summary, a 5 star book from beginning to end. (PS I am not acquainted with the author, but did train at LA County in surgery. Everything is how I remember it way back then.)
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022 by cc5619
Format: Kindle
For anyone who watched Grey's Anatomy and wondered if what was depicted there is really realistic, wonder no more. Harch does a wonderful job describing the very stressful training of an intern and then resident doctor at a large inner city hospital. The work requirements as well as the cases these doctors have to handle are insane, hard to imagine for the average suburbanite. I couldn't put it down!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024 by a customer
Format: Kindle
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and very interesting. I especially liked it because I am in the medical field and an am familiar with many of the medical situations. Dr. Harch recalls so many great stories from his residency. He also goes through his personal life as well. Sounds like his wife was very supportive.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020 by Amazon Customer