An incredible memoir from one of the worlds most eminent heart surgeons, recalling some of the most remarkable and poignant cases hes worked on.Grim Reaper sits on the heart surgeons shoulder. A slip of the hand and life ebbs away.The balance between life and death is so delicate, and the heart surgeon walks that rope between the two. In the operating room there is no time for doubt. It is flesh, blood, rib-retractors and pumping the vital organ with your bare hand to squeeze the life back into it. An off-day can have dire consequences - this job has a steep learning curve, and the cost is measured in human life.