Blind Eye ~ James B. Stewart ~ 7/01 ~ True Crime Export

TRUE CRIME: BLIND EYE
THE TERRIFYING TRUE STORY OF A DOCTOR WHO GOT AWAY WITH MURDER!

Poisoning is the most intelligent -- as well as the most cowardly -- form of murder, because it's nearly impossible to prove. That helps to explain the FBI's troubles in the notorious case of Michael Swango, who is suspected of having fatally poisoned some 60 people between 1984 and 1997 as an intern or resident at a number of hospitals and health-care establishments.

“This book is not as important for its story of a rogue killer as it is for its reminder that all of us fail dismally when it comes to minding the store. In my 13 years on Connecticut's medical examining board, I cannot think of one case brought to us by another physician. It should be the standard of practice to try to segregate any colleague who we think may be likely to hurt an unsuspecting but trusting person who comes to us sick and asking for help.” Reviewed by Richard M. Ratzan, M.D.

Discussion Leader ~ Lorrie

"Doctor Evil", as he has been called, makes fascinating reading, especially for those who like their crime stories real. "Books about murderers are always of interest, perhaps because we subconsciously recognize that the kernel for such evil lies dormant in many a heart."says Abraham Verghese.

If there is anything reassuring about James B. Stewart's gripping new book, it is that only a psychopath will identify with Michael Swango, the killer he describes. Psychopaths are narcissistic, antisocial persons who lack a capacity for empathy, who can carry out criminal, perverted or amoral behavior while being fully aware of the consequences, and perfectly able to distinguish right from wrong.

We invite you to join us here in discussing this best-selling book!

Lorrie

Last night ( 7/11/00) there was a story on CNN about this case, and in today's NY Times (7/12/00) on the front page Metro section(beloq the fold)there is a lenghty article about Mr Swango (the Times refuses to address him as Dr). He was due to be released this Saturday (7/15/00) from a federal prison in Colorado where he was serving a 3 & 1/2 year sentence ( for fraud not murder),but now he's going to be charged in NY.

This case continues to make news and the book,Blind Eye gets a lot of mention in the article.

This book should be of interest to anyone who has any dealings with the medical profession (which is just about everybody)and could lead to some far-ranging and pertinent discussions about some very important issues.

Perhaps Marcie can get an announcement about this book in some of the health and medical forums.

As Ginny likes to say, "we're so au courant." ( But I wondered if she was talking about electricity or raisins??????????)

My wife who faithfully unwinds each evening after a stressful day at work with Inside Edition or Entertainment Tonight was watching this evening and there was a piece about this guy Swango. Was charged in NY today as Ed indicated.

Lots and lots of publicity about this character, and as Ed says about the Times refusing to give him the respect ordinarily granted a medical doctor by addressing him as such, I'm with them! Thanks, Ed, and about us all being so "au courant," I think Ginny was really talking about the raisins. The raisins I use are very well informed.

Thank you, Maryal, for that link! You, too, Charlie, for your post.

Lorrie

Early this evening I watched James Stewart on C-Span talking about this book. He stressed more on the negligence of the medical profession rather than the poisonings themselves, saying that he considered himself a journalist rather than a novelist. When asked if ther had been a feeed-back from medical organizations after the book was published, he said surprisingly not as much as he had expected.

Mr. Stewart was very interesting to hear. He spoke glibly and without painful pauses, and his thoughts seemed organized and coherent. I'm only into the book myself about one-third, and I can see how this same journalistic bent works in these beginning chapters. We re already seeing the "Who, what, when, where, and why's."

Thank you for the info, Au Courant!

We put up this heading about the book "Blind Eye" more than two weeks ago, to see if it would interest anyone enough to read it and comment on it. Apparently there is not enough interest these days in True Crime stories---perhaps most people feel that there's enough mayhem in real life as it is, or whatever. It's a pity, this is a good book, and one which I think the medical profession should give more than just a cursory glance. So we will be archiving "Blind Eye" and wait hopefully for more suggestions for actual true crime stories.

Lorrie