2024~X8. The Deepest Well

Nadine Burke Harris. 2018.

Written by a physician at the center of the work to bring the concept of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) to the forefront of medical care, there was a lot of really interesting material in this book.  I liked many of the parts where she talks about how she talks to patients and other medical providers about ACEs and the importance of understanding their role in long term health outcomes, but I have to say that I did not love her writing style.  I feel bad even saying that, to some extent, since I imagine she is a fabulous physician and it is clear from the subtext in the book that she has done amazing work, not only for individual patients and their families, but also for the community where she works.  Beyond that, her work has impact widespread policy changes and helped normalized ACE screening across settings.  The other issue I had with the book is that I think it is already due for an update, as the work being done on ACEs since 2018, has expanded the knowledge based in such a way that some of what is here feels outdated.  

I am torn about a recommendation, because there is so much in this book I want everyone to know about, but the writing and the age of the book make me hesitant to recommend it.  Additionally, I did not love the author as narrator here, although in fairness, it is rare that I like the author of a book as the narrator.  

Finally, although I do not mean to pile on to make it seem like I liked it less than I did, I found the book in general to be fairly depressing.  I know the idea is to raise awareness about the important of ACES screening, and she did provide examples of specific interventions for individual patients of hers, but the overall tone felt pretty dismal for folks with high ACE scores.  I wish there had been more of an emphasis on systemic approaches to reducing ACE scores in the first place.  I wished for that even though that was clearly outside the range of what could be expected from her given all that she had already been doing.

Ultimately, this is going to be not not recommended.

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