All this I do say as an unwary buyer of a nonfiction book recently. The money is gone. You see, I believed the nonsense reviews that I did read on Amazon (#1 Amazon Bestseller in Critical & Intensive Care Nursing, etc.). I don't write this critical review to encourage you to buy the book, but to make you aware of its lack of literary worth.
The book was titled, “Year of the Nurse: A 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Memoir.” In short, the author states: “In 2020 there were roughly four million nurses in America and compares their service to a wartime-equivalent situation.” This drew me toward the purchase. Ah! If I had only gone to another page and took a “look inside.” There are far better books available about nursing.
For a professional, the author uses atrocious language. Much more so, than what I used as a young military man. He/she rants and raves on and on about the 2020 administration as if he/she is an insider having access to confidential information. He/she berates all and anyone who is not in agreement with his/her views. This attitude prevailed due to narrowness and a want to place blame for the whole situation.
If I am to say anything good about the book, it would be about the explanation of medical conditions. The author didn't get much wrong on that. By the way, upon arriving at page 312, I learned Cassie or Cassandra Alexander is not his/her real name. I do not fault the author's use of a fake name, apparently to avoid litigation over the so evidently bad style and second-rate work containing irrelevant tangents, wild accusations and other charges of offense.
Furthermore, if the nursing duties were too much to bear, he/she should have walked away from it. Personally, years ago, I could not bear the duties of a correctional officer (prison guard), so I walked away from it. Thus, if having psychological conflict resulting from incompatible beliefs and attitudes held at the same time, then it is time for some logical thinking to sort things out.
He/she states, “Why would they (U.S. government) want more people than have ever died in any war so far to die?” Obviously, the author has neglected studies in history. Further, the author states circa 6/14/20: “Do you realize if they get more than 50 cases in South Korea, they shut everything back down? They treat every life there like a treasure.”
My experience is that, indeed, Koreans do treat every life preciously like most other countries. I think the author must understand that most of us did what we could do. Some did not. But that's how it is when you have such a densely populated country.
Finally, if the author suffers from an overwhelming urge to write, that's fine, but find a good editor. If you wish to champion a cause, and put forth your point of view, there's a better way to go about it. Do not assume so much about public affairs and use smarter language.
The author (wrjones@vsu.edu) published the novella, “Beyond Harvard,” and presently teaches English as a second language.