A Bomb in the Brain: A Heroic Tale of Science, Surgery, and Survival

A massive brain hemorrhage accompanied by excruciating pain and impaired vision in 1983 ended his coverage of the Nicaraguan revolution for the then 28-year-old journalist Fishman. He survived the misdiagnoses of doctors there, and the hazardous trip to a New York hospital. The author enriches his affecting account of his attack and surgery with reflections on the nature of pain and on hospital life and with portraits of the physicians and other medical personnel who cared for him. He discusses the evolution and technology of the scientific specialities such as radiology, neurology and micro-surgery involved in his surgery, a delicate, danger- and tension-fraught operation that was recorded on videotape. He later also witnessed a similar procedure performed by the same surgeon. Left with a permanent epileptic condition, Fishman writes poignantly that although he recovered, he will never be restored. (Nov.)