Concern. Compassion. Doubt. Despair. Anger. Hope. Imagine juggling these feelings every day in a situation where your work could mean the difference between someone's life or death. For Dr Chris Luke, a consultant in emergency medicine, these emotions are an intrinsic part of the job – ranging from rage at a system that often leaves vulnerable people waiting anxiously, to the incomparable satisfaction of relieving patients' suffering and distress. This revealing memoir takes us on a rollercoaster journey from Chris's days as an orphanage boy through to becoming one of the leading emergency physicians in the country. A Life in Trauma is a remarkable account of a career spent helping others, sometimes at a painful personal cost, and ultimately offers a positive perspective on the potential of Ireland's healthcare system.