Confessions of a Knife

Merging art and religion with science, these largely autobiographical essays delve deeply into the emotional territory of medicine commonly avoided by other writers. This collection, first published in 1979, utilizes the physical body as a means to explore the human mind and soul. Never hesitant to admit his own frailties, Selzer draws on his experiences as a surgeon with integrity and wit, allowing readers a first-hand glimpse into the medical world.

Richard Selzer is poet laureate of surgeons in America: a superb literary stylist who explores not only the human body, but the mind and soul as well. These essays are largely autobiographical and extend deep into emotional and medical territory commonly avoided by other writers.

Dr. Selzer's work has been published in New American Review, Esquire, Harper's and other periodicals. In 1975 he won the National Magazine Award for his essays.

Richard Selzer is the author of numerous books and articles. He is a former surgeon and professor of surgery. Selzer taught writing at Yale University and is the recipient of dozens of awards and honors, including a Pushcart Prize, National Magazine Award (for his essays), an American Medical Writer's Award, and a Guggenheim fellowship. His work has been published in New American Review, Esquire, Harper's, and other periodicals.