In 1964 they said she could never be a doctor because of her long painted fingernails, her big breasts and the 'Three M's: Marriage, Motherhood and Medicine'. Escape From The Bedside is Sharon Baltman's gripping memoir tracking her decision to become a doctor in the early days of feminism to her travels across Canada, the US, through Africa and Israel. She chooses NOT to be like her traditional childhood family doctor but obsessively pursues the need to listen closely to her patients, a discipline later known as Narrative Medicine. "Baltman writes with verve and wit... tackles challenging medical situations and personal tragedy and loss. All with sheer guts and determination. A fascinating read." Maureen Jennings, author of the Murdoch and Tom Tyler mysteries "Sharon turns the doctor's light on her own dark corners... a woman who pursues a dream, then tops her own ambition in mid-life. A lesson in living... a deliciously good tale." Marianne Ackerman, author of Piers' Desire ..".everything you really don't want to know about medicine, but are too fascinated to stop reading..." Marilyn Herbert, Director of Bookclub-in-a-Box "The candid writing is clear and fluid... a sharp intelligence at work." Isabel Huggan, author of Belonging: Home Away From Home