New Amsterdam

2018 • Drama • TV-14

The new medical director breaks the rules to heal the system at America's oldest public hospital. Max Goodwin sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care, but the doctors and staff are not so sure he can succeed. They've heard this before. Not taking "no" for an answer, Dr. Goodwin's instinctive response to problems large and small is four simple words: "How can I help?" He has to disrupt the status quo and prove he'll stop at nothing to breathe new life into this underfunded and underappreciated hospital, returning it to the glory that put it on the map.

Why you shoud read the novel

If you’re fascinated by the world of New Amsterdam, the source book, 'Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital' by Eric Manheimer, offers a deeply authentic look into real medical cases. Unlike the dramatized series, the book shares Dr. Manheimer’s true experiences, providing insight into the complex lives of patients and the profound challenges faced by medical professionals in America’s oldest public hospital. It’s a compelling read for anyone eager to go beyond the TV characters and discover the humanity, struggles, and triumphs found within real hospital walls. Reading the book allows you to witness the emotional and ethical decisions faced by doctors, all depicted from Dr. Manheimer’s first-hand perspective. These gripping stories offer a window into broader societal issues, ranging from healthcare inequality to immigration and homelessness, enriching your understanding beyond what the TV series can provide. The personal and unfiltered narratives draw you closer to the real people behind each patient’s case. For those who appreciate stories rooted in reality, the book presents an unvarnished but deeply empathetic narrative. Manheimer’s writing is honest, self-reflective, and full of compassion, making 'Twelve Patients' not just a medical memoir but an exploration of New York City’s diversity, challenges, and resilience. Engaging and thought-provoking, it’s a must-read for anyone inspired by true medicine and human connection.

Adaptation differences

The primary difference between 'Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital' and the TV adaptation 'New Amsterdam' is the line between reality and fiction. The book is a memoir, based on Dr. Eric Manheimer’s genuine experiences as Bellevue’s medical director, while the series takes significant creative liberties by building fictionalized characters and plotlines inspired by—but not directly based on—the book’s stories. In the TV show, Dr. Max Goodwin is a loosely adapted version of Dr. Manheimer, but his narrative includes many dramatized elements—such as specific personal relationships, family struggles, and overarching story arcs—that do not appear in the memoir. The series also creates a supporting cast of prominent fictional doctors with distinctive storylines, while the book focuses more on the patients’ stories and the broader social context of their cases. The pacing and tone set the works apart as well. The memoir is anecdotal and introspective, rooted in factual medical cases and the ethical dilemmas faced by the hospital staff. Conversely, the TV show prioritizes ongoing drama, sensational cases, and serialized character development to hook viewers, at times sacrificing medical realism for emotional stakes and entertainment value. Finally, while the memoir offers critical reflections on public healthcare and the societal problems influencing hospital life, the TV adaptation often focuses more on interpersonal relationships and hospital politics. The show presents a polished and optimistic version of hospital administration, while the memoir does not shy away from the stark realities, budget constraints, and systemic issues facing public hospitals in the United States.