The South End tales are hearty , bookies on every corner , tales of ward bosses and intense congeniality and post-war prosperity . My Uncle Pete was a bookie , God rest his soul ; the voice from Chicago would call and “ give him the numbers .” The neighborhood chronicles are riveting , part and parcel of what makes this track so special .
The second book is Lawrence Scanlan ’ s 2006 “ The Horse God Built ,” the story of Secretariat and his groom , Eddie Sweat , from Holly Hill , South Carolina . Eddie guarded that horse with his life . He knew every inch of Secretariat and without him , Big Red would not have run so big . If you remember 1973 , you recall the astonishing thrill , the intense anticipation , and the final glory . With Eddie ’ s story you can follow every stride , from the raw yearling to his supreme mastery of the Belmont . I could watch that stretch run forever .
Mr . Scanlan , a racing writer , chronicles the inequities of racing , the economic gulf between some owners in the suites and the formerly Black , now hugely Hispanic , grooms and barn workers . The
DOCTORS ' LOUNGE world is always changing , but some things don ’ t change much . Yet the timeless dailyness of the work , the proud and loving expertise , the matchless harmony of Eddie with Secretariat - these shine through their years together . The best love stories make you root for both parties , and this is one of them .
Dr . Barry is an internist and Associate Professor of Medicine ( Gratis Faculty ) at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , currently taking a six-month sabbatical .
LETTER TO THE EDITOR AUTHOR Ronald L . Levine , MD
I
would like to comment on the excellent article by Dr . Tailor on Dr Stuart Urbach . Stuart was a good friend , my physician and teacher . He may not have engaged in established Judaism later in life but he was certainly following the tenets and teachings of Judaism , ‘ to care for your fellow man and do justice , justice , justice ’. Thanks , -Ronald L . Levine , MD
" In the previous issue ( Vol . 68 No . 11- April 2021 ) we misquoted Dr . Ron Levine in the article “ Rookie Mistakes .” He previously worked with Dr . Bill Powers , not Dr . Dave Powers . From Dr . Levine : “ Dr . William Powers was a wonderful obstetrician and gynecologist .”
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