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Life, Death and Biscuits

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Life, Death and Biscuits

By: Anthea Allen
Narrated by: Anthea Allen
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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘A heart-breaking story of courage and compassion from the front line of the toughest battle our nurses have had to fight. Anthea Allen’s writing is raw, honest and full of love for those she cares for.’ Susanna Reid

An extraordinarily powerful memoir based on the diaries of intensive care nurse Anthea Allen, who worked on the front line of one of the largest hospitals in Europe during the Covid crisis.

A nurse for 25 years, Anthea thought she had seen it all. But with Covid came the greatest trial, personally and professionally, of her life. Thrust into hourly challenges – many a matter of life and death – while on the Critical Care units of St George’s in south London, Anthea processed her shocking experiences through writing. It started with an email to request biscuits. But her appeal to help boost the morale of her fellow nurses soon turned into a series of astonishingly moving stories detailing the realities of being a front line worker.

It wasn’t long before Anthea’s accounts were circulating far and wide, capturing the attention of the nation and being feted by the likes of Richard Branson and Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid.

In Life, Death and Biscuits, Anthea reveals the human story behind Covid, sharing tales of hope, fear and laughter from both her ‘family’ of nurses and the patients she encountered. Forged in a crisis, this deeply affecting memoir offers a unique and inspiring perspective on the pandemic that simultaneously tore the world apart and brought us together. Both heart-wrenching and uplifting, it serves as a testimony to love, resilience and the human spirit.

©2022 Anthea Allen (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Medical

Critic Reviews

‘[These] words will live on as an important history of Covid for generations to come’ – Sir Richard Branson

‘Vivid, loving, raw, opinionated. There have been several very good books written by doctors during the pandemic, but nothing as visceral as this.’ – The Times

‘A moving and awe-inspiring account’ –
Daily Mail

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Nurses are amazing!

I agree, nurses are amazing!!
However, they are not the only and most important people in the world. I admired and respected nurses until I read this book, now it seems they are a bunch of wingers and wanting attention for doing their job! I understand it must have been awful - but we all struggled through Covid in our different roles.
The writer constantly told us how amazing the nurses are, but she complained about everything!
If you don’t like your job - don’t do it!! And don’t keep saying how much you love it!
Also, seriously stop wanting more money! You guys get paid well - we all could do with a pay rise and for many of us, the money is never comparable to what we do.
It shouldn’t be about the money, and if it is, - you’re in the wrong job!
Disappointed in the direction of the story and nearly didn’t finish it as I was soo sick of hearing about ‘our wonderful nurses’!

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inspiring insight to amazing care in the Pandemic

Remarkable care taken in a Critical Care Unit at St George's Hospital London during the terrible days as Covid 19 spread . Anthea as the team leader cared for the nurses & patients , giving insight through stories & experiences of friendships & care . Realising nurses on long very tiring shifts needed help asked neighbours to donate food for the staff , then thanked the many people who responded , so this book was written . Real honest funny inspiring . Spoken with clarity & passion . Brilliant .

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