SKU: 91415209724

Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital

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Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied HospitalFrom a Pulitzer Prize winning historian comes a riveting history of New York's iconic public hospital that charts the turbulent rise of American medicine. Bellevue Hospital, on New York City's East Side, occupies a colorful and horrifying place in the public imagination: a den of mangled crime victims, vicious psychopaths, assorted derelicts, lunatics, and exotic disease sufferers. In its two and a half centuries of service, there was hardly an

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian comes a riveting history of New York's iconic public hospital that charts the turbulent rise of American medicine.

Bellevue Hospital, on New York City's East Side, occupies a colorful and horrifying place in the public imagination: a den of mangled crime victims, vicious psychopaths, assorted derelicts, lunatics, and exotic-disease sufferers. In its two and a half centuries of service, there was hardly an epidemic or social catastrophe--or groundbreaking scientific advance--that did not touch Bellevue.
David Oshinsky, whose last book, Polio: An American Story, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, chronicles the history of America's oldest hospital and in so doing also charts the rise of New York to the nation's preeminent city, the path of American medicine from butchery and quackery to a professional and scientific endeavor, and the growth of a civic institution. From its origins in 1738 as an almshouse and pesthouse, Bellevue today is a revered public hospital bringing first-class care to anyone in need. With its diverse, ailing, and unprotesting patient population, the hospital was a natural laboratory for the nation's first clinical research. It treated tens of thousands of Civil War soldiers, launched the first civilian ambulance corps and the first nursing school for women, pioneered medical photography and psychiatric treatment, and spurred New York City to establish the country's first official Board of Health.
As medical technology advanced, "voluntary" hospitals began to seek out patients willing to pay for their care. For charity cases, it was left to Bellevue to fill the void. The latter decades of the twentieth century brought rampant crime, drug addiction, and homelessness to the nation's struggling cities--problems that called a public hospital's very survival into question. It took the AIDS crisis to cement Bellevue's enduring place as New York's ultimate safety net, the iconic hospital of last resort. Lively, page-turning, fascinating, Bellevue is essential American history.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Anchor Books
Published: 10/24/2017
ISBN: 9780307386717
Pages: 416
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.30w x 0.80d
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SKU: 91415209724

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New York, US
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Size: 934W-Z, Color: Black
So far, so awesome. Easy to assemble, comfortable, arrived quickly and is exactly what I was looking for. I have a tall work bench in my new studio so I needed a chair that we could allow me to sit higher than a regular office chair and allow me to get off my feet after standing on the concrete floor. Plus its a nice looking chair that I am sure will last a long time. I love the flip-up arms and the lumbar support. This is just right!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
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Perfect Balance of Comfort, Support, and Style!
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I’ve been using this chair for a few weeks now, and I’m genuinely impressed with how much of a difference it’s made in my workspace. The mesh back is one of my favorite features—it offers excellent breathability and prevents that sticky, overheated feeling you sometimes get with solid-back chairs, even after sitting for hours. The seat cushion is firm enough to give proper support but still has enough give to keep me comfortable through long workdays. It feels like the perfect middle ground between soft and supportive. The adjustable foot ring has been a complete game changer for me. I use a taller desk setup, and having somewhere to rest my feet makes a huge difference in posture and overall comfort. Whether I’m sitting upright for focused work or leaning back to read, it’s always at the right height. The flip-up armrests are another smart design choice. When I’m typing, I like to have them down for support, but when I’m done, I can flip them up and push the chair neatly under my desk—saving space and keeping things tidy. The casters roll smoothly on both hardwood and rugs, so I can move around easily without scraping the floor or getting stuck. The overall build quality feels solid and sturdy, with no wobbles or creaks. Assembly was surprisingly quick—everything was clearly labeled, the parts felt durable, and it only took me about 20 minutes from opening the box to sitting in the chair. The sleek, modern look is another big plus—it blends in perfectly with my home office décor without feeling bulky or taking up too much visual space. If you’re looking for a chair that combines comfort, ergonomic support, durability, and style, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s equally great for work, studying, or just relaxing at your desk, and it’s definitely been worth every penny.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2025
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sleepywan
Lowell, US
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OK for the price, but overall comfort is avergae
Size: 934-Z, Color: Mustard
Easy to put together, color (mustard) accurate to images, and while I understand this is not a high-end chair, I feel like it still needs to be rated for its quality. Pros: the seat cushions are fairly comfortable and it rolls well. Adjustable footrest is easy enough and mostly sturdy. Cons: For a tall office chair, it doesn't go up high enough. I actually had to lower my standing desk to sit at it, which then isn't where I want it when I'm standing now. It's also a bit wobbly. The seat area's attachment to the post isn't as solid as it should be for a tall chair, so while sitting, it does tend to lean/slope forward and wobble side to side. The lumbar support is not adjustable, so I'm not even really sure what it does. And the armrests are not very comfortable to use. Since they are hard plastic, they are just a bit too rigid to rely on for any comfort. They are basically there to hold on to when you're getting out of the chair.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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West Palm Beach, US
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Good Value for a Tall Chair
Size: 934W-Z, Color: White
I have received this chair just today and would like to give my first impressions of it. Height is super adjustable as well as the foot rest. My desk is very tall (~34 inches vs standard ~29 inches) and does not suit a standard height chair. This chair's height is enough to sit comfortably at mybut also still having adjustment to be even higher. Lumbar support is a manual adjustment that can be adjusted by sliding the lumbar piece up or down and it seems it can be tiled as well. No reclining feature or slight backrest tilt adjustment. I'm used to my chairs reclining so it feels a little awkward siting in a flat base and straight backrest. I feel like I'm sitting too forward or leaning forward slightly but is probably something I can get use to. Easy to put together and feels very sturdy. Plastic parts of chair are made from a really sturdy plastic, like playhouse plastic materials. Wheels roll around carpet easily. Mesh seems to be a strong material, though the mesh feels kind itchy on bare skin. Overall, I think this is a good chair to get if you're needing a tall chair for a good value and can sacrifice no backrest tilt.
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Tram
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent value for money!
Size: 934W-Z, Color: Black, Size: 934W-Z, Color: Black
I absolutely love this office chair! I needed a chair that could support my standing desk without sacrificing comfort, and this one completely exceeded my expectations. It's incredibly sturdy and durable, well-made, and the height adjustment is super convenient, making it easy to find the perfect fit. Even during long hours of work, the seat is comfortable, and the ergonomic design effectively reduces pressure on my back and legs. I love its clean, modern look—it fits my home office perfectly. Assembly was quick and easy, and for this price, the quality is absolutely fantastic!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2026

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