Wonder look inside

What a wonderful look at a job most people don't even think about. Eric Martin does a superb job of narrating this book. The book is not very long but packed full of insight on the doctors behind the scene. Thank you for the gift of listening to this wonderful book. This is my honest review.

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Meetings in the Dark over Bones

Which scene was your favorite?

One of the last scenes when Jay is on top of the parking garage and deciding what is next in life... "that red dot is Mars."

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Although this book was authored by a female writer, a male narrator reads the story. It did not change my perception of the story and the narrator does a great job.

Any additional comments?

This wonderful story follows a writer and a radiologist through their 15 year relationship. They first meet when the writer covers the Radiologist for an article. The book is broken down into short essays of their sporadic meetings throughout 15 years. The radiologist is a stoic “reclusive monk” that pours over the x-rays and scans daily and gives insight into the issues of each patient.

This is much more than a regular medical drama however and goes into the details of the great work of this renowned radiologist. I highly suggest this book to anyone in the medical field and those who value the expertise of their profession. At the core, this story is about someone who lived their life for their “job” and the end of the journey.

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.

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Listening in the Dark

Would you listen to Talking to Skeletons: Behind the Scenes with a Radiologist again? Why?

I'm not sure.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Talking to Skeletons: Behind the Scenes with a Radiologist?

At the end, when the Radiologist and Ms. Jourdan sat under a blanket watching the stars, and he fell asleep. Her presence validated the transition, as he left his profession, and shared how hard it was to sleep seeing all those images of sickness, and impending death.

What about Eric Martin’s performance did you like?

His smooth, and steady voice. Perfect to allow the story to emerge, as it was not the attraction, or the distraction.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

At the end, when the Radiologist and Ms. Jourdan sat under a blanket watching the stars, and he fell asleep. Her presence validated the transition, as he left his profession, and shared how hard it was to sleep seeing all those images of sickness, and impending death.

Any additional comments?

Ms. Jourdan acted as the shadow box to the Radiologist, illuminating his motivation for doing, and enduring the work. It was beautiful to hear, and learn of his skill and existential crisis about the work. He felt lonely to me, and Ms. Jourdan's presence, attention and compassion, allowed him to reveal how he saw this world emotionally.

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Tender, Charming ... not one to miss

Would you listen to Talking to Skeletons: Behind the Scenes with a Radiologist again? Why?

Yes!

What about Eric Martin’s performance did you like?

It's perfect.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the end ...

Any additional comments?

This was a special, delightful introduction to the work of Carolyn Jourdan. I look forward to hearing more of her work. Hopefully with this wonderful narrator.

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Well written and a wonderful narration.

Any additional comments?

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review and I can honestly say it was an excellent book.Well written and the narrator Eric Martin was perfect!
When I finished book 2 I went immediately and bought book 1. Thank you for the opportunity!

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Delightful companion to "Radiologists At Work"

This short little gem follows up Carolyn Jourdan's "Radiologists At Work: Saving Lives with the Lights Off," but enjoyment of both books isn't dependent upon reading them in order. In "Talking to Skeletons," Jourdan describes a relationship with one radiologist in particular. Over the course of many years, she would occasionally drop in and shadow her subject as he worked, observing as he moved through the hospital's many departments, reading results of various radiological tests and procedures. Jourdan's radiologist friend opens up her mind to the sometimes funny, sometimes harsh realities of medicine and life, even as he divulges a very personal secret to her.

As with the first book, narrator Eric Martin delivers another spectacular performance. I am hoping to see more installments in the X-ray Visions series.

(I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review. Many thanks to Eric Martin for this opportunity!)

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Talking to Skeletons

A moving memoir of a working radiologist. Ms. Jordan had a way with words, giving beautiful descriptions of otherwise unremarkable things. We don't usually think about the Doctors who read X-rays & how the might feel in their isolation. Ms. Jordan has managed to bring humanity to this hidden aspect of medicine.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request & have voluntarily left this review.

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Fascinating glimpse into an amazing profession

First of all, The subject matter of this book was completely outside my normal reading choices or general area of personal interests. That being said, I found this account of the author's sporadic visits over a period of several years with one radiologist to be a fascinating glimpse into an amazing profession. The author's personal descriptions and reflections were such that I felt transported to that small dark room in the bowels of a large hospital, realizing that no matter the state of changing technology and medical advances, the human element is always so vital.
The narration was expressively done, although it did take a moment to adjust to a male voice reading a first person narrative of a woman.
I have read several of this author's books in other genres, and thoroughly enjoyed this one as well.
I was given access to this audio title by the author in return for an honest review.

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2 people found this helpful

The Darkroom behind the Doctor -

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Only to a friend who I think can appreciate the subtlety and profound humanity of it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Talking to Skeletons: Behind the Scenes with a Radiologist?

The last scene, crouched in the parking lot beside the car - but only because I had already taken in the rest of the book.
Also all the actual conversations between the radiologist and the author that are sprinkled throughout the book.
And the moments when the radiologist looks at his father's x-ray, and then his own. But these would have been much less memorable without the previous account of the tediousness, the thoroughness, the expertise, and the dedication that characterized his everyday work with thousands of (mostly) faceless patients.

What about Eric Martin’s performance did you like?

I hardly noticed it, to be honest. I was just engaged in listening to the story. That is probably praise for the narrator. I would have to listen again to evaluate his performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if you have time, and if listening to it is really what you are doing, not just an accompaniment to something else.

Any additional comments?

Oh my! Leave it to Carolyn Jourdan. “There's something about the way she listens” (to paraphrase a line from her book). Jay, who begins as only a spectral voice – uncannily wise but disembodied – in a dark tomb-like room full of skeletons on film (and Hans, an imported skeleton from Germany), this Jay gradually takes on flesh and blood, pain and compassion, chapter by chapter, and eventually emerges as a profound but deceptively ordinary human being, huddling with the author inside a quilt, sitting on the pavement and leaning against his car in the hospital parking lot to shelter from a chill wind, and falling into a well-earned sleep as he and she contemplate his retirement under a sky full of stars. Carolyn Jourdan has become a superb chronicler of the medical community in its every nook and cranny, from her wonderful and beautiful classic Heart in the Right Place to her books Medicine Men and Nurse: The Art of Caring, and now radiologists in Radiologists at Work: Saving Lives with the Lights Off and Talking with Skeletons. Read them all.

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Fascinating and a fun listen

Would you listen to Talking to Skeletons: Behind the Scenes with a Radiologist again? Why?

Yes, combined with good narration and a fascinating topic matter, it made for an enjoyable listening experience.

What about Eric Martin’s performance did you like?

Strong, powerful narration.

Any additional comments?

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost

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