Riding the Lightning

A Year in the Life of a New York City Paramedic

De: Anthony Almojera

Narrado por: Anthony Almojera

“An intense look at the high-stakes world of a NYC paramedic in the months before and after COVID-19 altered our landscape.”—Damon Tweedy, MD, author of Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor's Reflections on Race and Medicine

The education of a New York City paramedic, whose tales of tragedy and transcendence over a single year culminate in the greatest challenge the city’s emergency medical system has ever faced: COVID-19.

As a seasoned paramedic and union leader, Anthony Almojera thought he could handle anything his job threw at him. Like many medical first responders, he came from a troubled background and carried the traumas of the city as well as its triumphs. He had grown up in the rough-and-tumble Park Slope of the 1980s, been homeless for a time, and had watched murder, addiction, and hopelessness consume those closest to him. But he had dedicated his life to helping people in need, and while every day was filled with tragedy—stabbings, shootings, accidents, suicides—it also brought moments of uplift: births, resuscitations, and rescues that reminded Anthony and his coworkers why EMS was the most thrilling job on earth, even if the pay was lousy and the hours were long.

So when a strange new virus began spreading in New York, Anthony and his fellow medics were ready. They had done the biohazard drills; they knew the procedures, and how to handle the sick and the bereaved. They believed that their lives and training had prepared them for this new challenge. But the months ahead would prove them wrong, and would push New York’s EMS workers, and Anthony himself, to the breaking point—and beyond.

Following one paramedic into hell and back, Riding the Lightning tells the story of New York City’s darkest days through the eyes of its frontline medical workers and the community they serve: ordinary people who will continue to make New York an extraordinary place long after it has been reborn from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

©2022 Anthony Almojera (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Must read If your in EMS

Very eye opening, Shocking to know that's how we treat our EMS workers. It was kind of all over the place but the message was a good one.

I think anyone in EMS can truly understand every emotion they went through.

when he was talking about how he felt during the pandemic and wondering why the rest of the country wasn't more prepared. after seeing what they went through. we did however, some states like mine are not even as big as New city it's self. So we didn't have to deal with some of the same things they did. This was such a great book

Not quite what I was expecting, but good.

I had read reviews of this book that were a bit negative about nearly half the book being background about the author, which isn't how the book is portrayed. I found it important to have that background as a framework for the part of the book that describes his experiences in 2020. The author does a good job of pointing out the flaws he sees with the system. He also is very good about explaining professional terms to ensure that reader understands what he is discussing. I did not feel as emotionally drawn into his experience as I expected. Having lived through the height of COVID 19 less than 5 years ago, of course this book tapped into some memories for me. I believe that this book will become exponentially less impactful with the passage of time because it is not a stand alone to draw emotion. At best it prompts one to tap into one's emotions about the pandemic from one's own experiences.

Personal and universal

Anthony invites us into his most intimate and private thought and experiences. By telling his story he tells the story of EMS during the pandemic years

Unenthusiastic

If I would have known this author was a Liberal Democrat, I wouldn’t have listened. The author needs to work on pronouncing the word “Ask” instead of “Axe”. Not impressed!

Too Much Politics

I’m not judging Anthony, but I didn’t purchase this book to hear about his political views and criticism of several politicians, with one in particular over and over again. I did however, enjoy listening to his stories of the things he has experienced and the many lives he’s helped and saved, and I wholeheartedly thank him for his service.

I didn’t really enjoy the content of him complaining about how women have treated him, and how life has not been that fair to him. We’ve all gone through rough patches, some way more than others. I’ve personally come very close to death more times than I even want to think about, but I don’t dwell on the past, I move forward with a very positive attitude.

And my final thought: if I could not pronounce the word, “ask,” and instead said, “ax, or axed,” I would’ve hired someone to narrate for me. If it was a word he only used a few times, no biggie, but it was one of the most used words in the book. Again, I’m not judging the man, this is constructive criticism. Overall I think (dare I say it), Anthony has a bit of an ego.

Remember the acronym for EGO: Easing God Out…

Not what I expected at all

I did not like all the comments about Trump, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and BLM.
I would ask the author how he feels regarding current events now and BLM organization now and how the donations were handled.
I expected the book to be about COVID-19 during 2020.

Concerning

Honestly I thought I was going to hear about the hardships of being a first responder, and whatever complexities that comes with this authors story. I have never left a negative review, but there’s So much room for improvement. If your going to tell a story while placing an honorable Colors of the FDNY on your Cover, don’t make it about Politics. You shamed those that didn’t take the Shot, I took it but I never shamed them for they’re decisions, look at everything that’s coming out about that the same shot you Shamed people for Not blindly talking. The Speaker of the house Nancy pelosi was the one that said it was unconstitutional to be forced to take it, Not Trump! Hating Trump isn’t going to tell the best of what EMS is, I know because I started out in EMS in one of the worst neighborhoods in east New York and I loved what I did, but I had to leave because I couldn’t afford much on my check. I’m ok with having a difference of an opinion, but demonizing people does the total opposite of what we as First responders Represent, Hopefully if you do write another book, it will actually contain a transparent version that leaves room for the reader Not the author to draw They’re own conclusion, Good luck and thanks for your perspective

Excellent presentation

of what so many people who give their all to save others lives while sacrificing the quality of their own lives.

great listen

currently an EMT for station 59 for FDNY for nine months out of the academy and been an EMT for four years come the end of August. I had heard stories of colleagues that worked during the pandemic as I had in the private sector. hearing this made me appreciate everyone that worked EMS for FDNY all the more. thank you, Anthony, for sharing your story. great listen and stay safe, lt.