Tending Lives

Heron, a California nurse who has written previously about her professional experiences (Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse) collects oral histories drawn from interviews she taped with nurses who represent many aspects of the field. The majority of the deeply involving selections emphasize the strong commitment to caring that characterizes these health professionals and their struggle to dissociate enough from their patients' sufferings so that they can be effective. Many of the nurses, such as Margie O.'s description of geriatric nursing and Diane C.'s account of caring for an abused baby, express extraordinary compassion. A highlight is the chapter of interviews with nurses who treated victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. One unusual contribution, by Calista H., details the assistance he provided at an execution in which a lethal injection was administered. Author tour. (June)