Reviews

Honest reflections on stories that inspire, challenge, and strengthen the spirit, offering deeper insight into the journeys that shape our understanding of hope.

Editorial Praise

What Professionals Are Saying

Readers' Favorite
Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is a gut-wrenching, powerful exposition of courage, love, and the strength of the human spirit. One of the most powerful memoirs I have ever read, offering a feeling of renewal, hope, and pride in humanity’s power to overcome adversity.
Grant Leishman Official Reviewer
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Readers' Favorite
Dr. Craig H. Collison shares a raw and honest look at his battle with necrotizing fasciitis, highlighting the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith.
Jamie Michele Official Reviewer
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Readers' Favorite
A compelling medical memoir that captures the clinical intensity and emotional depth of a life-altering illness, grounded in the unwavering support of family and community.
Essien Asian Official Reviewer
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ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition
20 25
PHILADELPHIA • JUNE 26–30

What Readers Are Saying

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Neicy

United States - March 2, 2026

This book is a detailed account of a doctor’s harrowing experience after contracting a flesh-eating virus. What makes it even more gripping is that he had no idea what it was or how he got it. You feel the urgency as doctors scramble to figure out the mystery, and you witness what can only be described as a miracle unfolding in real time. It’s terrifying and hopeful all at once. The story is told in journal form, with most of the entries written by his wife. There are also letters from doctors and medical staff, along with Bible verses woven throughout the book that were deeply personal to their journey. That structure made it feel intimate, like you weren’t just reading about it, you were living it with them. Some of the medical details made me cringe. When he described the burns, the lesions, his skin being opened, and the pain—whew. You could almost feel it. It wasn’t overly dramatic, but it was detailed enough that you understood exactly what his body was going through. One of the strongest parts of the book, for me, was his wife. The way she stood by his side, educated herself about what was happening, and advocated for him was powerful. And she did all of that while pregnant and caring for their other children. Yes, they had help from his parents, but still, growing a baby while managing that level of crisis is a lot. Her strength really stood out. I also appreciated the honesty about his frustration. Being down physically, unable to function the way he was used to, and pushing himself even when his body was failing him, you could see how that would be both frustrating and humbling. It felt real. What hit even harder was the timing. He was just about to really step into his career when this happened. To work that hard and then be stopped in your tracks like that is tough. But the lasting scars he carries now aren’t just reminders of what he went through, they’re reminders of what he survived. All in all, it was a good, inspiring read. I found myself praying along with them as I read. It’s a story about resilience, faith, family, and pushing through when everything feels uncertain.
C

Crawford C.

Philadelphia, PA

I’m not going to lie, I picked this up because Mr. Armani Klein handed me a free copy at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition on June 27, 2025 in Philadelphia, and I thought, “Okay, another inspirational medical story.” But this is different. Craig H. Collison writes like someone who’s lived both sides of the bedrail, and you feel that tension on every page—the clinical clarity and the human terror happening at the same time. There were moments I had to pause because the details hit so hard, but it never felt like shock for shock’s sake; it felt like truth. The faith thread didn’t feel preachy to me—it felt like the rope someone grabs when they’re slipping under. If you’ve ever sat in a waiting room, prayed with your back against a cold wall, or wondered how a person survives what shouldn’t be survivable, this book will stay with you. I recommend it without hesitation.
L

Linda H.

Ferguson, MO — ICU Nurse (Ret.)

I received my free copy from Armani Klein at the ALA Annual Conference on June 27, 2025, and I read it with my “nurse brain” on at first—watching for accuracy, watching for melodrama. What I found was a brutally honest account that actually respects what critical illness is, including how it changes the whole family, not just the patient. The wife’s journal entries were the part that leveled me—because that is the voice of someone trying to stay brave while their world collapses. The author doesn’t sugarcoat the suffering, but he also doesn’t romanticize it. He shows what competent, compassionate care looks like, and what faith looks like when it’s not a slogan—it’s survival. I closed the book grateful and shaken in the best way. I recommend this book to every healthcare worker and every family who’s ever lived in an ICU timeline.
J

James G.

Wildwood, FL — Pastor & Hospital Chaplain

I was handed a free copy by Dwayne Foster from New Life Creatives Media at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition on June 27, 2025 in Philadelphia, and I started reading on the plane home. By the time I landed, I felt like I’d been through something with this family. This isn’t just a medical memoir—it’s an invitation into the sacred space where medicine, fear, love, and prayer collide. The way Craig tells it—day by day—made me feel the helplessness of watching a body fail and the stubborn, almost defiant hope that keeps people showing up anyway. The biblical reflections are woven in like breath, not like a lecture. If you have faith, it strengthens it; if you don’t, it still offers a kind of dignity to suffering and endurance that’s universally human. I recommend this book to anyone who needs proof that darkness doesn’t get the final word.
A

Albeo J.

Mesick, MI — Physical Therapy Assistant

Mr. Armani Klein handed me a free copy at ALA in Philadelphia on June 27, 2025, and I expected to skim it. Instead, I couldn’t stop thinking about it between chapters—especially the rehab portions, because that’s where I live professionally and where most people don’t realize the real war happens. The surgeries and ICU are terrifying, yes, but the rebuilding—the slow, painful, day-after-day work of reclaiming life—hit me the hardest. This book shows the “before” and “after” in a way that’s honest: you don’t come out untouched, but you can come out alive in more than one sense. It made me want to be gentler with the patients who are frustrated, angry, or exhausted, because now I’m hearing what their inner story might sound like. I recommend this book to anyone who believes recovery is just a medical outcome—this proves it’s also a spiritual and emotional one.
T

Tavia Jane K.

Beverly Hills, CA — Wellness Writer & Speaker

I received my free copy from Rachel Peters (New Life Creatives Media) at the ALA Annual Conference on June 27, 2025, and I read it expecting a “survivor story.” What I got was a memoir that doesn’t perform courage—it reveals it, especially in the messy, unpretty moments. The dual lens of being both doctor and patient is what makes it so intense: he knows what’s happening medically, and that knowledge doesn’t protect him—it sometimes makes it scarier. The family journal entries are devastating and beautiful, like raw fingerprints left on the page. I cried more than once, and not because it was manipulative—because it was human. This is a book about suffering, yes, but it’s also about love as a force that keeps showing up even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. I recommend it to readers who want something real, not curated.
J

John R.

San Antonio, TX — Emergency Medicine Resident

I got a free copy from Nathan Anderson at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Philadelphia on June 27, 2025, and I read it with the weird mix of curiosity and dread that comes with being in medicine. This book is a gut check. It reminded me that the diagnoses we say out loud in a calm voice are earthquakes in someone else’s life. The pacing feels like the clinical timeline—fast, brutal, and then long stretches of endurance. And the faith aspect surprised me: it didn’t feel like a neat bow; it felt like someone clinging to something when the body is failing and the odds are ugly. I finished it feeling more serious about the privilege of taking care of people at their worst. I recommend this book to medical professionals, patients, and anyone who wants a story that tells the truth and still leaves you with hope.
M

Mackenze W.

United States - March 11, 2026

This harrowing tale was one of biological destruction and immense faith, all wrapped up in an extremely emotional tale. The narrator and his family went through an unimaginable ordeal but this story was able to capture a lot of the feelings and medical intensity involved in a disease like the flesh eating bacteria. Readers will learn about the procedures and will have a front row seat to a show of what faith can truly accomplish. The use of journal entries was a nice touch that allowed the reader to get a grasp on the other characters and how they were coping. At times, I found the entries to be a little repetitive and lengthy though.
M

Megan Parker

United States - February 19, 2026

Craig H. Collison’s Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is a gripping and deeply moving medical memoir that captures the fragility of life and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Written from the unique perspective of both physician and patient, the book chronicles Collison’s sudden battle with necrotizing fasciitis and the long, uncertain road to recovery that followed. The result is a story that is as medically intense as it is emotionally uplifting. One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its immediacy. The day-by-day recounting of surgeries, setbacks, and small victories keeps the narrative tense and engaging, making it difficult to put down. Interwoven journal entries from Collison’s wife, family, and friends add an intimate layer, revealing the fear, hope, and unwavering support surrounding him during his most vulnerable moments. These personal reflections give the book a strong emotional core and highlight the importance of community in times of crisis. Faith also plays a central role throughout the story, offering comfort and perspective during moments of uncertainty. The spiritual reflections feel sincere and integrated naturally into the narrative rather than overwhelming it, making the memoir accessible to a wide audience. Readers will likely find both inspiration and reassurance in Collison’s resilience and determination. Ultimately, Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is a heartwarming and powerful account of survival, perseverance, and healing. It stands as a testament to modern medicine, compassionate care, and the enduring strength of faith in the face of overwhelming odds.
R

Raisa M.

United States - February 27, 2026

TATTERED FLESH, RESILIENT SPIRIT is a compelling medical memoir that traces one physician’s sudden shift from caregiver to critically ill patient. Struck by necrotizing fasciitis at the height of his training, Collison recounts the harrowing progression of surgeries, complications, and intensive care with clarity and candor. The dual perspective of doctor and patient gives the narrative unusual depth. The inclusion of bedside journal entries from his wife, family, and friends adds emotional immediacy to the clinical details. Their reflections capture fear, hope, and exhaustion in real time, grounding the medical drama in human connection. This layered approach keeps the story intimate while never losing sight of the broader stakes. Faith and perseverance are woven throughout the account, offering context for how Collison and his loved ones endured such uncertainty. The memoir also provides practical insight for patients and medical professionals navigating critical illness. Overall, TATTERED FLESH, RESILIENT SPIRIT stands as a thoughtful testament to resilience, community, and the complex realities of survival.
F

Francie Ede

United States - January 1, 2017

I am a survivor of NF (flesh eating bacteria) and wanted to learn more about what happened to me. My medical records are 11 reams of paper in using medical jargon. An easy read on a spiritual plane.
S

Shirley Priscilla Johnson

United States - December 27, 2005

This is the story of Craig Collison and his battle against an insurmountable illness that would spread terror through any of us at even the thought of it. I am speaking of the battle against a "flesh eating" bacteria that invaded his body. Horrible! The author shares the joys of his life before this invasion and takes us through his battle and the miracle of his overcoming this attach against him. We read journals from his wife, doctor, nurses and others as they struggle to keep their faith and pray for a miracle. He opening allows us to share their fears and battles in hopes that all of their emotions will help others that are in similar circumstances know that their can be hope at the end of the journey. Truly this is a heartwarming story in so many ways. Dr. Collison is frank and honest in his work, and you will close your eyes and whisper a prayer that you or a loved one will never have to endure such trauma; yet, despite all the darkness you also are privileged to share the love of friends and family, the courage of Dr. Collison, and the faith of so many that made such a difference. We all have trials in this life, none are exempt, some are harder than others, but in this book we can see the importance that faith, love and unity bring. A book from one man's heart journey that will be a true asset of strength to those facing their own battles in this life and a hope for victory.
E

E. Connor

United States - July 5, 2005

Dr Collison offers us a glimps at something we all hope we never have to endure: the sudden critcal illness of a loved one. Jounal entries from his wife, notes from friends, family, doctors and nurses, all accent his own telling of his battle with "flesh eating" bacteria. As a pediatric ICU nurse, I have already found myself sharing parts of this story with my patients' families. Im part to empower them to be involved and ask questions, in part to give them hope. As a human being, this book reminded me of something easily forgotten: the amazing resiliency of the human spirit.
S

S V SWAMY

United States - January 21, 2006

When I read the press release about the saga of survival of the author, himself a medical man from flesh-eating bacteria's ravages, I was very much interested in learning more about the interventions that helped him. So, when an opportunity to review the book came up, I was very happy. And I am not at all dis- appointed with the result. The author succeeds in holding the reader's attention all through with a fairly detailed and at the same time, highly readable account of the main factors that proved critical in his pulling through a gruesome and potentially fatal illness. The excellent medical care, the support of the family, especially his wife Michelle and his own grit pulled him through the ordeal. Faith and prayers played an important part (that is the support part) and Dr.Collison is now quite willing to share these aspects with all patients and thus help them in their own recovery. I would have preferred to see a more detailed account of the disease and the reconstruction (with possible figures, sketches and photos), since a picture is worth a thousand words. Also, the author could have discussed the possible source of his infection to alert the readers about similar possibilities. The photographs of his family inside the book could have been in color. The book is very well written and the editors should be complimented. A few typos remained in the book, possibly escaping the proof editor's eyes. I felt that the price is a little on the higher side. All things considered, I recommend this book as a good buy if you are interested in medical themes.
D

Donna Emperador

United States - February 24, 2026

This is the true survival story of a man who beat the odds against a deadly disease and his journey through recovery. The story is not just about his physical survival but how spirituality helped his family and friends survive the ordeal along with him. It proves to be a good guide for those in the medical profession as the author provides detailed info on what was and was not helpful from a patient's experience. In addition, the author includes a detailed guide for patients at the end of the book. He focuses on emergency room procedures, rehabilitation, medical terms, and medicines to help patients make informed decisions about their care. This book is for anyone who needs inspiration to get through tough times. It is also a must-read for doctors and anyone with long-term medical needs.
M

Meghan Soderholm

United States - February 26, 2026

Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is an inspiring medical memoir that captures survival through both clinical precision and heartfelt emotion. Craig Collison’s unique perspective as both physician and patient adds powerful authenticity, making the medical journey vivid and deeply personal. The inclusion of journal entries from loved ones enriches the narrative, highlighting the strength of community and compassion during crisis. Faith-centered reflections provide comfort and meaning, though they may resonate more strongly with some readers than others. Moving, informative, and hopeful, this memoir offers a compelling testament to resilience, healing, and the remarkable power of perseverance.
A

Akanksha sharma

India - March 7, 2026

A proverb says hope is strongest when the night is darkest. This book tells the story of a doctor who refuses to give up. Dr. Collison is a young pediatrician with a happy life. A simple surgery leads to a sudden, life-threatening infection. He faces a long battle in the hospital. His medical team works hard to save him. He survives against the odds. The story then shifts to his long recovery. The author writes honestly about his emotions. He shares his struggle with his new physical appearance. His wife, Michelle, supports him through every step. Faith is a major theme. Bible verses provide comfort throughout the memoir. The book also highlights the skill of his surgeons and nurses. The writing is direct and easy to read. It is a deeply emotional story. This book shows how a person can survive a crisis and rebuild their life.

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