‘Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an enthralling journey through the ongoing evolution of critical care. In this richly illustrated book, with stories of people who teetered on the edge of death and survived to find their lives forever changed, Dr Ely, a thought leader in his field, reveals hard lessons he’s learned, innovations he’s led, and his compelling, bright vision for the future of medicine.’
Dr Ira Byock, active emeritus professor at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, author of Dying Well and The Best Care Possible, founder and chief medical officer of the Institute for Human Caring
‘A remarkable book from a legendary physician. Dr Ely revolutionised critical care and now, through stories that are intimate, honest, and brave, he reveals the failings and the great promise of the field. This could not be more timely — in the wake of a pandemic that challenged the humanity of our profession, Ely shows us the road forward. A must read.’
Dr Daniela Lamas, author of You Can Stop Humming Now: a doctor’s stories of life, death, and in between
‘Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a beautiful, honest gem. If you’re interested in the wild world of the ICU, in the interface between nature and human nature, in how medicine (at its best) learns from good intentions gone awry, in the difference between in vitro and in vivo, or in how a good doctor becomes great, here is the book for you. I’m grateful to Dr Ely for his candour and his storytelling.’
Dr B. J. Miller, author of A Beginner’s Guide to the End
‘Thanks to Dr Wes Ely and his colleagues, help is on the way for ICU patients, as well as the healthcare professionals who care for them. Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a must read for anyone who may someday be impacted by an ICU, which means all of us.’
Dr Jessica Zitter, MPH, author of Extreme Measures
‘The ICU is an important, mysterious character in the story of modern medicine, and Every Deep-Drawn Breath is its deeply felt, thoroughly researched biography. With compassion, grit, and grace, Dr Ely takes us into this liminal space and shows us, through the stories of his patients and his life, what it means to mobilise technology to save lives while also confronting the unintended pain and suffering that ICU care can inflict. This book illuminates the humanism, heroism, and humility required to stand with people at life’s edge, and reminds us to seek meaning and purpose in the life we have, a life sustained by each breath we take.’
Dr Sunita Puri, author of That Good Night: life and medicine in the eleventh hour
‘In this fascinating and eye-opening book, Wes Ely makes the radical argument that we should be helping critically ill patients stay awake and engaged, not routinely sedating them into unconsciousness. Combining dogged research, intense reflection, and page-turning stories, Dr Ely reminds us that we have to treat the patient, not just the disease.’
Dr Danielle Ofri, PhD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and author of When We Do Harm
‘With the storytelling sensibilities of Oliver Sacks and the surgical precision of Atul Gawande, Dr Wes Ely has given us an unforgettable journey of patients and doctors travelling in the disorienting world of intensive care, ultimately leading toward redemption for Dr Ely himself. Required reading for all mortals. If you liked When Breath Becomes Air, you will love this book.’
Dr Angelo Volandes, author of The Conversation: a revolutionary plan for end-of-life care
‘A treasure trove of hard-won wisdom. Reading Every Deep-Drawn Breath is like getting a backstage pass to the cloistered world of medical science. A gifted storyteller, Wes Ely brings his humanity to every moment, inspiring us to re-examine our own beliefs and re-imagine what is possible. He has seamlessly woven together the private stories behind the very public successes and failures of our well-intentioned ICU care. Illuminating and generous, he revisits with humility the pivotal moments of his career in this wise gift of a book.’
Dr Rana Awdish, author of In Shock: my journey from death to recovery and the redemptive power of hope
‘Every Deep Drawn Breath deserves a wide and deep readership … it summons physicians to seek relief for their patients’ endemic suffering, but not by standard yet short-sighted procedures that ignore post-ICU torment. On the contrary, doctors must humbly recognise their own limits, indeed their inevitable mistakes. Precisely and ever so admirably, this is what Wes Ely has done.’
Ralph C. Wood, Emeritus Professor of Theology and Literature at Baylor University
‘Ely, a critical care doctor, debuts with a remarkable look at transformations in ICU care … This humble — and humbling — look at the limits and potential of medicine will stick with readers.’
Publishers Weekly, starred review
‘In this dynamic, often touching debut, the author chronicles a personal, passionate return to the ethical heart of the Hippocratic oath. In addition to a timeline of the ICU and its history of medical innovations, Ely details a succession of individual bedside narratives … The author effectively illuminates the daily pressures placed on caregivers … Ely also provides a thoughtful exploration of the ICU treatment culture of sedation and immobilisation, and analyses how it can be recentred around a core value of “humanity in doctoring” … As Ely conveys through anecdotes and experience, physicians can maximise their knowledge by focusing on, listening to, and learning from their patients. Meaningful, thought-provoking insight into the world of critical care.’
Kirkus Reviews
‘Critical care physician Ely draws on his own experience for this book about the role of humanity and compassion in the ICU … It includes sensitive analysis of the racialised history of critical care medicine and health care disparities that stem from gender, class, and disability. Ely discusses post-intensive care syndrome, which he believes is too-little discussed by patients and health-care professionals … Heightened media attention to intensive care medicine during the pandemic should make this of interest to both lay and professional readers. Ely writes with passion, clarity, and authority.’
Library Journal
‘An intensely emotive journey through the science and history of the intensive care unit … Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a paragon of humanity that will have lasting positive effects.’
The Lancet
‘[A] powerful new book … provides true insight into what can be accomplished with humility, perseverance, dedication and above all else, love.’
Intima: a journal of narrative medicine
‘Timely.’
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
‘With its vivid observations and heartfelt tone, Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a joy to read. Ely’s passion for his patients leaps from the pages, inspiring readers to channel Ely’s humility and love for life to brighten the future of medicine, and mankind.’
The Federalist
