Blind Eye: The Terrifying Story Of A Doctor Who Got Away With Murder

Good reporting of the story of Dr Serial Killer, Michael Swango. Astonishing how doctors covered up his behavior which allowed him to commit additional murders. Interestingly it was in a village hospital in the African bush where action against Swango was taken most swiftly.

This book chronicles the life of Michael Swango from his childhood until the present.Swango, later to become Dr. Swango is raised in a home without a father. His father, a military man, prefers duty in Viet Nam than opportunity to stay at home. His mother, though doting upon Swango, is not one to express emotional warmth. Oddly she seems to pay undue attention to his achievements, leading him emotionally starved but unduly attached to his outward achievements.Swango is at least outwardly, the All American success story. Good looking, he is a gifted student and sent to a private school, while his brothers are left to attend public schools. He later enters Medical School.But Swango is left emotionally scarred. He has a compulsive need to be in "control". Unlike a would-be cop or would-be business executive, Swango finds the ultimate control as a physician - perfectly in position to be in control of people's lives. The ultimate control is over life and death for Swango. By using poisons and various medications, he controls the fate of his victims by deciding who will live or die by unknowingly receiving intravenous doses of well, God knows what.But Dr. Swango for all outward appearances, is a shining success story, easily making a good impression on those who meet him, but not in a position to truly know him. He finishes medical school and secures a prestigious residency.Problems with Swango become evident early on. But such signs went largely unnoticed. That is to the powers that be. His peers couldn't help but see his peculiar preferences to be involved in life and death situations. As medical student he earns the nick name "Double O" Swango. Patients seem to mysteriously die shortly after contact with Swango.As evidence mounts that there is something desperately wrong with Dr. Swango, his supervising physicians discount the reports of his odd behavior by nursing students and patients. One of the most striking aspects of his story is the reaction of the faculty of the prestigious universities he works in. Being more concerned for their own reputations and legal liability they fail to take action that ensures the safety of the people they are supposed to serve.That perhaps the theme of the book: the medial community's reaction is naive at best and recklessly irresponsible at worst. But take into consideration the fact that Swango is the only known physician serial killer known in the past 100 or more years. Was the medical community prepared to see what is a rare occurrence in history? Perhaps the larger issue is just how well does the medical community police itself? Are they equipped to do it and prepared to take action when they need to? The book leaves these as questions to be answered by the reader though the author seems justifiably outraged.

Award-winning author, James B. Stewart, has penned a riveting true-crime tale about golden-boy, Michael Swango, who seems destined for a successful career as a medical doctor. In a career trajectory that includes work in Illinois, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, New York and eventually, Africa, Swango makes good first impressions and often receives glowing reviews. Yet, after the initial charm and blush of promise, disturbing behavior soon begins to emerge. Suddenly, patients are mysteriously dying and Swango is always present or somehow linked to the scene. Concerned colleagues quickly raise red flags of alarm, particularly nurses, but these issues are often dismissed, discounted or not investigated. Higher-ups in the medical establishment are more intent on safeguarding the reputation and bottom line of the employing hospital, perhaps at the expense of their patients. Swango’s murderous rampage, and the span and duration involved, are difficult to comprehend. That his thinly-concealed dark deeds were so prevalent and unchecked before his final arrest, is seriously shocking. Crime can exist in any profession, but is particularly egregious in a medical environment where vulnerability and trust are so closely intertwined. Stewart’s book is an exhaustively-researched chronicle of the life and mind of a psychopathic physician, who used his medical knowledge and privilege to satisfy his aberrant compulsions. It is also a scathing indictment of some in the insular medical community who willfully, blindly, unwittingly, inadvertently or recklessly protected one of their own. An intelligent, highly-recommended read.

Each page will be turned in alarmAs a doctor has just enough charmTo schmooze those who doubt him. There’s something about himThat makes sport of “first do no harm.”#bookreviewsaslimericks

This book is well researched, but this serial killer was so prolific it gets repetitive. The author did a very good job but the story can get tiresome.

In this alarming and well written true story, James B. Stewart tells the tale of a psychopathic homicidal doctor and the bafflingly lax professional medical establishment that failed to properly monitor and halt his transgressions.Using a clear and engaging narrative style, Stewart presents a frightening portrait of Dr. Michael Swango’s trail of deceit and murder from Illinois to Ohio to Virginia, through South Dakota and New York, and ultimately to Africa. In the process, Stewart reveals the inherent—and ultimately dangerous—arrogance that permeates the medical profession. Throughout Swango’s career of poisoning and killing co-workers, girlfriends, and patients, concerns were raised about his behavior. Since many of these concerns came from female nurses and patients, the male-dominated bureaucracy of the American medical established all too readily dismissed—or even worse, excused—the allegations against Swango, a white Midwestern male. While Stewart himself merely implies the impact of institutionalized sexism (and, in the case of the murders in Zimbabwe, racism), it’s impossible to read this book without recognizing its fatal consequences.Both devoted and casual fans of true crime will enjoy (if that’s even the right word) this gripping book.

A horrifyingly gripping and pointed reminder of why government regulation and over-sight of MANY key industries that effect just about EVERY citizen are as necessary as ever, and always will be.

The book was in good conditions when it arrived. I gave it to my sister as a Christmas gift so I don't really know how the book is but judging by the cover, it was HE A V Y Y BOI.