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My Top 10 Robin Cook Books
Robin Cook Books Are My Favorite
I love Robin Cook s books because he writes about medicine and the side of science fiction that could become real. It seems that it could be something that could happen. These two subjects have always fascinated me. If you haven t discovered Robin Cook s books yet then let me tell you about my top ten favorite Robin Cook books.
What does talking about the human brain have to do with the writings of Robin Cook?
He is a medical doctor who turned author. Robin Cook loves t research of subjects that he is familiar with through his knowledge of medicine. Cook s writing is the science fiction aspect of medicine on what could happen.
Photo credit: WIKI
#1 Coma (1977) - Frist on my list
This is the first book I read from Robin Cook and when I became a be fan.
Coma, the movie of 1978 is a classic.Staring Michael Douglas and Geneviève Bujold.
Remake to modern times: Four hour movie of Coma (2012) that was shown on A&E. Staring Lauren Ambrose as Dr. Wheeler.
This is the first book I read from Robin Cook and when I became a be fan. This book is about four medical students entering the freighting world of medicine. The time is February of 1976. Three of the medical students are male and one is female. Dr. Susan Wheeler uncovers a horrifying deception of a select group of senior doctors at Memorial Hospital are taking patients into minor surgery and making sure they do not ever wake up.
Read MY REVIEW ON ROBIN COOK'S COMA .
Medically Induced Coma
This is a practice that has gained in popularity over the years. It is a way to allow the brain to sleep while the body heals. For the majority of these cases, there is some type of brain injury. The brain will start to swell. Body temperature will rise. A medically induced coma will bring the body temperature down to around 90 degrees. A cooler body means less swelling; alleviating the pressure on the brain.
Some years back, we received a call that my mother-in-law was brought to the hospital. While in the hospital, she has having a series of mini-strokes. Her blood sugar and blood pressure were dangerously high. Nothing that was given to her was bringing it down. Her doctor told us that nothing else could be done, and they wanted to induce a coma to see if her body would correct itself. We agreed to this, knowing that she was like a cat and always pulling through. Seven days into the coma, my mother-in-law died. This must have been her ninth life.
I know it has done some good and many people have benefited from it. Both my husband and I agreed that we do not want this happening to us.
What if your family were asked to put you in a drug induced coma?
Are you fine with your doctor putting you in a medically Induced coma?
No way! What if I never wake up?
No way! What if I never wake up?
Sandy, Robin Cook is my all time favourite author. I think most of his books' scenarios could actually happen so I wouldn't call them science fiction, although he has written a couple of those. He has common characters running through one series Dr Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery who are both very appealing. I would be hesitant to have a love one put in a drug induced coma, especially after reading about your mother-in-law.
I guess it would depend on the circumstances, but for the most part, no flipping way!
That is a difficult to answer. I'm going with GrammaLinda. 'May I never need to know.'
Hopefully, I won't ever have to find out.
Although doctors should know best it's certainly something I wouldn't rush in to, so many things can go wrong. I just hope I/someone close doesn't have to make that decision.
Hi! I really appreciate you sharing with all of us the info about the books you found best. I think you are an avid reader , if you don't mind..can you suggest some good reads for a 18 year old daughter of mine. She loves to read and is currently preparing for medicine. She has her summer break..so i'd like her to get some good books. Please, if u can suggest some. Thanks so much! :)
This book is also about medical ethics, isn't it?
I hope this never happens to me. I guess when people are so sick that the doctors want to induce a coma they aren't in much of a position to say yes or no to it. That's what is so scary about it to me.
I wouldn't even like to go under for surgery
I don't like medical intervention (for me) at all. I wouldn't tolerate it, but then I'm also DNR.
Sure! Why not! There is nothing to fear!
If it were for my health, I don't see why not.
Well, its tricky.....i wouldn't mind for my health!
If needed, I guess I'd have to be!
as long as it is DRUG induced..hell yeah hahahhahah
wow... i love cooking...
If it helped me to get better from an injury, sure.
At this time, I would say yes, it's okay.
I had conscious sedation once. I was conscious several times during the procedure, and suffered pain. When I told my doctor, he seemed fine with it, seemed to expect it. As for an indued coma, they usually use it when people are in a great deal of pain, and/or need time to heal. I don't have a problem with that. Although, nothing is ever perfect.
I would not say that I blindly trust doctors, but when I go for surgery - I really want to be out! And I know that many times comas are used therapeutically, for instance in some brain injuries. However, Coma was one of the scariest movies I have ever seen!
The doctors are supposed to know best. So, yes, it would be ok.
With some injuries and the pain and/or restraints required for healing, I would imagine the fear of being conscious would be far worse that the fear of coma. I think we are lucky to live in a time when medically induced coma is an option.
# 2 Fever - Hard to put down
Charles Martel is a brilliant cancer researcher who discovers that his own daughter is the victim of leukemia. But is there a conspiracy plot here?
The father soon discovers the cause of his daughter's leukemia. That source was also the cause of another child's fatal disease. The father subsequently tries to bring the culprits to justice and continue his work while also trying to find his own cure for his daughter.
Reality and Fiction
The fine line
The best part of thrillers, especially medical thrillers because that gets more personal on someone invading our being and we have no control over it. The "thriller genre" that Robin Cook writes about makes the reader analyze the possibilities of how much of this can happen in reality.
The facts are at much of the medical horror that Cook writes about has happened or you will find similar true stories years after one of his famous books was written. We are evolving in science and research. What may seem like a work of fiction years ago is reality in present time.
#4 Invasion - Great gift idea
A mysterious flu-like illness unlike any other strain suddenly surfaces. The infected are only sick for a short period of time, but afterward their personalities are altered. This strange viral infection induces mutations and scientists need to find an antidote to the alien threat. I admit, this one was not as realistic as the other writings but enjoyable to say the least.
#5 Crisis - What is your crisis?
Crisis
A distinguished and self-confident physician, Craig Bowman is delivered an ego-shattering blow when he is sued for malpractice by the husband of one of his patients, hypochondriac Patience Stanhope, who died while under his care. The trial takes up the bulk of this wordy novel. Bowman's wife asks her brother, medical examiner Dr. Jack Stapleton, to use his expertise to help with her husband's defense. Stapleton agrees, but what should be a routine forensic exercise quickly turns into a dangerous trail of lies, deception and murder. While it takes some time to get to the story's climax.
#6 Chromosome 6
Chromosome 6 is a book with two related stories woven together. This book undertakes to discover animal reservoirs of organs, which can, with a little manipulation, be used in humans. Of course something like this is going on to an extent.
When notorious underworld figure Carlo Franconi is gunned down, his mafioso competitors become prime suspects. Suspicions are fueled when Franconi's body disappears from the morgue before it can be autopised. A few days later when the mutilated, unidentifiable body of a floater.
#7 Sphinx
Sphinx
The books is about the mysteries of Egypt's magnificent past and the curse of the ancient world. Egyptians times has always been a fascination. They were an advance society. Following Egyptologist Erica Baron, on what is intended to be a 4 week vacation, to Cairo, the Valley of the Kings, and Luxor to visit the ancient sites and translate some of the hieroglyphics. From her arrival and first visit to the bazaars of Cairo, the trip follows a series of unexpected death, unexplained circumstances, and meetings with 3, seemingly different, yet stikingly similar
#8 Acceptable Risk
A research scientist discovers a mood-altering, enhancing drug and involves himself and other researchers in a deadly experiment. Blended with this story of greed and laboratories gone awry is a woman's relationship troubles and her increasingly troubled conviction that something has gone wrong.
#9 Mutation
Mutation
Dr. Victor Frank, a bio-physicist who is driven by his wife Marsha's infertility to create a monster: a son whose genetic structure has been designed to preordain brilliance. Keeping the experiment a secret from his wife, he implants similar embryos in two other women as well. ("When I did it, it seemed like a good idea," he claims, in one of the novel's funnier lines.) A decade later, his work goes awry; the other children die mysteriously, and Marsha realizes that something about her smart son isn't quite normalhe has no emotions. A series of interesting plot twists leads researcher Victor Frank to a secret laboratory discovery.
#10 Brain
Two doctors at Hobson University Medical Center. Dr. Martin Philips, the central character, is the Assistant Chief of Neuroradiology at the institution. When Philips realizes that many of the facility's female patients are dying on the operating table, he begins to suspect that something may be going very wrong at Hobson's Medical Center. With the help of his girlfriend and fellow physician, Denise Sanger, Philips begins to investigate; however, his curiosity may be placing both him and Sanger in danger.
Complete List of Robin Cook's Books
Click on the links to view the books
Twenty-eight of these books, I have read. You could say that I am a fan. See if these Robin Cook's Books are available on Amazon when you click here!
The Year of the Intern (Signet) (1973)
COMA (1977)
Sphinx (1979)
Brain (1981)
Fever (1982)
Godplayer (1983)
Mindbend (1985)
Outbreak (1987)
Mortal Fear (1988)
Mutation (1989)
Harmful Intent (1990)
Vital Signs (1991)
Blindsight (1992)
Fatal Cure (1993)
Terminal (1993)
Contagion (1995)
Acceptable Risk (1996)
Chromosome 6 (1997)
Invasion (1997)
Toxin (1998)
Vector (1999)
Abduction (2000)
Shock (2001)
Seizure (2003)
Marker (2005)
Crisis (2006)
Critical (2007)
Foreign Body (2008)
Intervention (2009)
Cure (2010)
Death Benefit (2011)
Nano (2012)
Cell (2014) (available to pre-order)
© 2009 Sandy Mertens
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Oh, I have to get out more. I was expecting recipes! You know, a cook boo. Couldn't figure out why you were cooking birds, though. Okay, now that I've got it straight, I really must read your first choice, Coma, and see how I like this author. Sounds like very interesting subject matter. Thanks for the recommendations!
[in reply to Susan52] Funny! I thought someone might read it this way if they weren't familiar with Robin Cook. So...how many robins would it take to feed a family of 4?
Love these books!
The title doesn't match the content but it was certainly worth the read ;-) Tweeted and 5 *s
Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
Robin Cook is of course awesome! Great lens on a great author! I enjoyed this immensely.
Robin Cook is always a good read.
Great lens. I haven't read any of these yet.
I love Robin Cook. Great lens. Blessed by a Squidoo angel.
I haven't read any of his books, although I have heard about him. You have peaked my interest.
Great top 10 Robin Cook booklist, it must've been hard to choose the ten, Coma was the first one I ever read and I was hooked!
I enjoy Robin Cook's books. Your list of top 10 books looks similar to my choices!
Robin Cook is an author that has been on my favorite list, for sure. Cheers.
His books are indeed fascinating. Just trying to think of how he was able to come up with such stories is mind-boggling. He is such an outstanding writer.
urgent care nyc
I don't read much but these books look very interesting to me! I like the top 10 list with the description paragraphs about them! Super Lens! :D
I have to confess the only Robin Cook book I have read is Marker, it was fantastic. This was my first novel of it's kind and I vowed to read more, alas I have not. Marta has read a few and her favourite is Coma too. Cool lens, hopefully spur me on to finally read another. Very cool lens.
Great lens and top 10 Robin Cook booklist!
great lens wonderful list
Well put together.. my favorite author - or one of my faves is Frank McCourt. Sadly he passed away in 2009.
Love seeing how you put things together. Enjoyable lens1
Has anyone heard about this new medical thriller, "Harvest of the Unborn"? Heard it was out on ebook and I can't find it. Supposed to be wild read about a controversial topic. Thanks!
@anonymous: I haven't read that one yet.
I like Robin Cook's writing very much and also read "Coma" first. It was an okay movie too, mostly because of the great cast and strange visuals of suspended patients. Nice list, Sandy. Happy new year!
I like Robin Cook's books (Coma is my favorite, too), but my favorite author is Elizabeth Moon.
sounds like some great reading. thanks for sharing.
I'm a Clete Smith fan, myself. I seldom read books for adults, preferring to spend my time with visitors from alien planets an' such.
I couldn't recall if I had thanked you for all your encouraging words an' your visits. I have so appreciated the Squid Likes an' Angel Blessings. Thank you so much.
Great and informative lens. :D
Too scary for me but you wrote a very informative lens so I'm giving this lens a blessing.
Very informative lens. Well done!
I love Dean Koontz, he is my favorite, however, I do also like Stephen King and Robin Cook, I have read most all of their books. Nice lens !
I've always loved Robin Cook. Dean Koontz too!
Excellent layout of Cook's books. I always enjoyed him too as I'm in the medical field myself. He writes from an insider's view.
I have never read a Robin Cook book but this was an excellent lens, thank you
I read Coma in 1990 and I was hooked. To be honest, until now, I've never seen another mention of Robin Cook since and I never knew he had such a huge following. Great lens, I've learned about some books I didn't know existed!
I had totally forgotten about Robin Cook - but I love his work. I'll definitely have to read some of these.
Fascinating - can't say I've read anything by him, but I may need to now! Blessed by a SquidAngel!
I am an avid reader. I do like Robin Cook's books a lot. I really can't name a favorite writer. There are so many good ones. Michael Crichton used to be high on my list but he is deceased now.
Great lens. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't realize Robin was a man. I love his books.
Good list! I like his earliest books best and I eventually stopped reading the last ones
Thanks for this great introduction to Robin Cook Books
This is not my type of book. My husband would probably like them.
BIG fan of this wonderfully gifted writer!
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@tonyleather: He does have a talent.
This information is really special, I think I like it, good lenses!
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@anonymous: You are welcome.
Coma has always been a favourite story.
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@t2d2: Is is a great story. Thanks.
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