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Life on a Knife’s Edge

A Brain Surgeon’s Reflections on Life, Loss and Survival

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Life on a Knife’s Edge

By: Dr Rahul Jandial
Narrated by: Rahul Jandial
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

As one of the world's leading brain surgeons, Dr Jandial is the last hope for many patients who have extreme forms of cancer - patients who can't be saved, but deserve more time.

Life on a Knife's Edge is his account of the resilience, courage and belief he has witnessed in his patients, and the lessons he has learned from them.

Both an unflinching account of extreme surgeries and a profound, moving and introspective memoir, this book reveals the depths of a surgeon's psyche who is pushed to his limits, day in, day out.

From keeping a gun victim's heart pumping with his own hand to saving a woman from paralysis and performing brain surgery while time is running out on a haemorrhaging patient, we see how making life and death decisions and facing unimaginable pressure has shaped one man's life. Now, he shares the many truths about human nature that he has learned along the way: from how we deal with trauma, loss and threat to our innate belief and sense of self.

From a life spent balancing on the line between life and death, above all else, he reveals what it really means to survive.

©2021 Rahul Jandial (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Medical Surgery Human Brain Heartfelt
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What listeners say about Life on a Knife’s Edge

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Fascinating

Great to hear first hand how Dr Rahul Jandial operates under life and death conditions. We learn about his life, how he copes under pressure and how his decisions are life changing for him and his patients. I found this man very interesting to listen to and it made me reflect on my own practises.

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I loved this

I spent most of the day listening to Life on a knife edge by Dr Rahaul Jandial. I’ve loved this book. He is so eloquent and his voice is gorgeous. I’ve watched him on YouTube and I’m enamoured with him. He is the same age as me I believe and he is so articulate and it’s incredible how I’m able to understand him describing really complex medical procedures and the complex mechanisms of the brain and body. I wish I was able to explain to others what I’ve listened to in the audio book. Honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read.

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Fascinating

Excellent book. Slightly monotone, so sometimes difficult to stay focused on listening. Enjoyed his vulnerability and honesty.

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You don't have to be a rocket scientist

Doctor Rahul Jandial is a former US college drop out whose determination and commitment resulted in him entering medical school and becoming a brain surgeon. He describes his job as "cutting cancer out of people" and has now operated on over 4,000 people where he has investigated the wonders of the human mind. Dr Jandial melodramatically narrates this book himself and admits that he finds the responsibility of his job exhilarating and he get highs from undertaking surgery on the margins of life and death that has never been attempted before. For Dr Jandial this is about the glory and the danger and not the money and that he thrives off the stress of his job stating the "if we do not have stress we become brittle". He describes some of the ground breaking surgery he has undertaken in the "brain's bony aquarium" including one where he used primitive instruments during an operation in Bolivia which is certainly not for the feint hearted. Apparently brains do not have nerves so they do not feel pain. You do, however, have to be a very brave person to even consider the type of surgery described in this book.

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Eye opening

This book was beautiful to listen to I just wish it was longer, couldn’t put it away every story within was gripping I would recommend to anyone in healthcare to gain perspective and anyone going through stress.

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Riveting

I found the case stories fascinating. I liked the humanity and humility of Rahul Jandial. I heard him interviewed and was under the spell of his voice, so was thrilled that he did the reading.

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captivating!

listened in just over 3 days, in the car, walking, doing chores, any opportunity! Dr Jandial has a unique, detailed, compassionate view of people and our world, I loved how he linked his experiences with anatomy and psychological theories, moving stories told in such a way I was either in tears or in suspense, I am totally in awe, captivated...

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Unexpected

Nothing like what I would normally read but what a fascinating book. Very unexpected. Very interesting and though provoking. LOCE that it was read by the writer!

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