Working Stiff by Judy Melinek and T. J. Mitchell 614 Mel

     

Judy Melinek became a doctor who planned on being a surgeon.  The craziness of that world forced her to rethink that decision.  And that is how she ended up as a forensic pathologist.  This book covers the beginnings of her career.  After quitting surgery she accepted a residency at UCLA.  After four years it was time for a fellowship program and she was advised to go to New York City to really learn forensic pathology.  Eventually she was offered a job as an assistant medical examiner.  She began in July 2001.

So I am reading very quickly through the book until I arrived at the last section.  I hadn't paid any attention to the dates earlier in the book.  And then she begins a paragraph with this sentence:  "I saw American Airlines Flight 11 a few seconds before it hit the North Tower."  It was nine weeks after she had begun her job.  After having watched all of the 9/11 memorial programs recently the images were fresh in my mind.  What she and her colleagues did for months after that day was incredible.  Like the people going through the rubble around the clock, her office began twelve-hour shifts, day or night.  They did meticulous work to try and identify what was left of the victims.  It was very touching.

Not a book for everyone but I am glad I read it. The stories she tells are interesting.  It is a very readable book.  If you watch any of the CSI shows you will be able to take the details in the book!