AIDS Doctors: Voices from the Epidemic: An Oral History
by Ronald Bayer, Gerald M. Oppenheimer

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Book Reviews of AIDS Doctors: Voices from the Epidemic: An Oral History

Book Review: AIDS Doctors: A compelling story of doctors
Summary: 5 Stars

The authors Bayer and Oppenheimer interviewed 75 doctors, each with their own stories, for a total of 300 hours adding to research for the book. The doctors included researchers, doctors who treated AIDS patients, and directors of AIDS programs. Almost half of the doctors were gay, all of whom wanted to help their gay community find answers about why this epidemic was predominant in their community. The goal of Bayer and Oppenheimer was to write a book portraying the effects of AIDS on doctors, and how the doctors dealt with the epidemic on the emotional side.

The book was very emotional, with the doctors giving examples of interviews with patients which resulted in tears by both parties. Many of the doctors wrote about their patients' moving stories, while others wrote biographies. Even a few of the doctors interviewed were diagnosed with AIDS. Most of the doctors were still angry at the government and scientists for not taking a more proactive stance towards the disease when it was first introduced, and it showed through in their interviews. The hardest part was reading about other doctors who turned their back on these severely ill people because of their sexual orientation or lifestyle. The discrimination against the infected is revolting and a smudge among all of those in the scientific community who did not offer appropriate care.

I think that this book really shows a struggle between mankind and science. Many do not understand the true emotional side of the disease and the only people who really will know are those who are affected by AIDS and their doctors. Luckily for the rest of us, these two authors definitely capture the emotion. These exceptional doctors have devoted all of their commitment to a special cause, and in turn have been affected in every way of their lives by it. This book was exceptional as it showed the emotional side of doctors who put their lives forward for a seemingly hopeless cause. The book is very hard to read, and often needs to be put aside for a few days in order to recompose yourself. This is by far one of the most remarkable books I have read on the disease and deserves to sit with the rest of the award winning medical documentaries of our time.

Summary of AIDS Doctors: Voices from the Epidemic: An Oral History

AIDS Books

• Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases
• General
• Gay & Lesbian > History
• Nonfiction > General
• Medicine > Diseases > AIDS & HIV
• General
• Special Topics > History