REVIEWS/TESTIMONIALS


From Dr. William Greer, Westwood, MA

Dear Bob,

I have just finished your new book. It is a joy to read and absorb.

You can be rightly proud of this ambitious, compelling work. It is my privilege to know even more about you and your wonderful contributions to humanity and the medical profession and yet you remain humble. The book is illuminating, inspiring, and thoughtful. It gives respect to the medical profession which seems to be much less these days. The new medical generation seems more interested in controllable life style career than in dedication to a profession. Somehow you were able to do it all being a great husband, father, physician and humanitarian. The “somehow” obviously relates to your outstanding wife, Mary, who can be justly proud of her contribution of wife, mother, adviser and partner.

You set a model for what a doctor-patient relationship should be. I hope the book will be read in an out of the medical world with its inspirational aspect. The patient histories are well written and thoughtful as well as educational.

Bettie and I send our love to Mary and you and wish you much happiness and great health in your busy retirement.

Sincerely,

Bill Greer

From Harry Beyer of Concord, MA

I expected to like your book, but I had no idea it would be such a page-turner! Wow, what an interesting, exciting, and productive life you -- and your whole family -- have led! At Break Fast at your home, you or Mary said you had written it from memory, not checking back into medical records! Is that true? You appear to have total recall. A natural, born story teller! With so many great stories to tell!

It's a glorious book, Bob! Your patients may have taught you, but you've taught me and everyone else who reads your book. What a priceless legacy to leave to your children, grandchildren, and all the progeny to come! And may all their noses always be running well.

From Dr. David Goldstein, of Louisville, Kentucky

I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your book. The vignettes are interesting as well as touching on many occasions.  I am glad you managed to put it onto paper and get it published, as I believe those who read it will get a feel what it is like to go into medicine and care for patients as a callling rather than as simply a job.  I hope many people read it.  I have been spreading the word here in Louisville. 

Dear Bob,

Thanks you so much for sending me your book. I’m finding it immensely interesting. Rather than reading it through, I enjoy just picking it up and reading a chapter on its own. There is much to be learned from your insights and I am much enriched by them.

Thanks a lot!

Rima Wesson, Jupiter Florida

Carey Bob, MD: Patients Teach a Doctor about Life and Death. Tales from Fifty-Six Years of Practicing

Xlibris Corp, 2009

Dear Bob,

I am really enjoying your book! It is a wonderful, honest, human story. I am learning more about you and your family. Each patient account is unique and often you record the feelings you experienced in serving that person. Your life has held so many blessings and you have been a blessing in countless lives, including mine. Thank you for the book and for sharing all you did of your family’s life. Kathy’s courage and what you all shared with her may be a help to another family in crisis.

Lovingly and gratefully,

Marie.
Sister Marie Doyle CSJ
Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston

Finished your book, Bob. It was "wonderful"!! You two have had quite a life together and you certainly have witnessed "much" in your years as a doctor. Thanks again for the gift of your life........your book!

Love,

Millie Dewolfe Hudson, MA

CAREY, BOB, MD: PATIENTS TEACH A DOCTOR ABOUT LIFE AND
DEATH. TALES FROM FIFTY-SIX YEARS OF PRACTICING.
XLIBRIS CORP, 2009

THIS IS A BOOK THAT I FOUND WARM AND CHARMING. WARM BECAUSE
ON EVERY PAGE IT COMES THROUGH THAT THIS DOCTOR LIKES AND
CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS. CHARMING BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN IN A
CONVERSATIONAL DOWN TO EARTH STYLE THAT CHARMS THE READER
TO KEEP ON READING, TO READ MORE, AND BEFORE ONE KNOWS IT, THE MOON HAS SET.

THE BOOK IS BY A DOCTOR WHO IS A PRODUCT OF A LARGELY BYGONE
ERA. ONE IN WHICH DOCTORS LISTENED TO THEIR PATIENTS, AND
DOCTORS TALKED TO THEIR PATIENTS. IT WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE
SUPER-SPECIALIST, TECHNOLOGICALTIMES, WHEN A NEW DOCTOR
DECIDES ON WHICH TOE HE OR SHE WILL SPECIALIZE BECAUSE LIFE IS
EASIER, AND PAY IS GREATER. AND BEFORE MEDICINE WAS PRACTICED
(SORT OF) BY INSURANCE COMPANIES.

ON PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN, QUESTIONS, THOUGHT PROVOKING
QUESTIONS, HAVE ARISEN FROM THE STORIES. READERS WILL HOPE
THAT THE SPARK OF THE BYGONE ERA OF CARING THAT NEEDS TIME
WILL BE FANNED BACK INTO FLAME BY SUCH BOOKS.

R.A. MACDONALD, M.D., WEST PALM BE A CH, FLORIDA

April 03, 2009
To: Carey, Richard
Subject: Dr. Bob's Book

Hi Rich,

It’s been a few weeks since I finished your father's book and I wanted to pass on my thoughts.  I really enjoyed Patients Teach a Doctor About Life and Death.

First of all, I appreciate you and Dr. Carey sending me a copy.  I brought it with me on one of my recent plane trips and read the whole book in about three days.  As I finished the book, I was landing in Florida to meet up with my four brothers and some of my brothers’ friends (for a rather tame bachelor party).  One of my brother Andrew's friends is in his last year of medical school at the Medical College of Georgia.  I gave him my copy of your father's book along with my strong recommendation and he was very excited to have it.

As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed the book for a number of reasons.  Your father Dr. Carey has clearly seen medicine in general and Cardiology in particular change over the years.  I found it fascinating to read about the differences in treatment over the years as well as the similarities in human behavior (The more things change, the more they stay the same...)

A few other observations on the book:

  • What a humble man!  Dr Carey's self-deprecating style is much appreciated and he is able to tell a great story while pointing out the accomplishments of so many people without telling the reader how wonderful he is.  Nicely done.
  • I loved the anecdotes about various patients who came into his practice over the years.  Interesting to see the societal changes.  Fascinating "color" on women, families, immigrants, family issues, etc...
  • The stories from South America were so inspiring as the entire Carey family has quietly given so much to a needy people.
  • Bedside manner still counts!  It was reassuring to hear that a physician can learn so much from his patients by just asking a few questions and listening.  Technological advances haven't rendered the human element obsolete!

Thanks again for sending the book Richard. .  I just wanted to put a few words down while it was still somewhat fresh in my mind.

All the best to you and your father......

DOC

Dave O'Connell
Corporate Sales Director
Boston Scientific Corporation