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Vernon Coleman
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Life on the Edge (Vernon Coleman's Diaries Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Vernon Coleman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 119 ratings
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The fifth book in Vernon Coleman's bestselling series of diaries. Not for the faint hearted or the politically correct. Nothing like the Bilbury books. The first four titles are: Diary of a Disgruntled Man, Just Another Bloody Year, Bugger off and Leave Me Alone and Return of the Disgruntled Man. The sixth in the series is 'The Game's Afoot'.' Definitely not recommended to those who found the others in the series too rich for their taste.
Vernon Coleman is a qualified doctor but has been a professional author for over 30 years. He has written over 100 books which have sold over two million hardback and paperback copies in the UK and been translated into 25 languages.
What the papers say about the author:
Vernon Coleman writes brilliant books - The Good Book Guide
Coleman is a very funny writer - This England
Brilliant - The People
Compulsive reading -The Guardian
A godsend -Daily Telegraph
King of the media docs - Independent
Superstar - Independent on Sunday
The calmest voice of reason - The Observer
Revered guru - Nursing Times
Marvellously succinct - The Spectator
Optimistic and enthusiastic - British Medical Journal
Probably one of the most brilliant men alive -Irish Times
Britain's leading health care campaigner - The Sun
He writes lucidly and wittily - Good Housekeeping
No thinking person can ignore him - The Ecologist
Etc etc etc
For a list of books please see Vernon Coleman's author page on Amazon . For a biography and free articles (and no ads) please see www.vernoncoleman.com
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  1. Book 5 of 7
    Vernon Coleman's Diaries
  2. Print length
    583 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    March 14, 2017
  6. File size
    1766 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Total Price: $11.97
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XP531B4
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 14, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1766 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 583 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1795022744
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 119 ratings

About the author

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Vernon Coleman

Vernon Coleman

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Sunday Times bestselling author Vernon Coleman has been a full time professional author for over 30 years. He is a novelist and campaigning writer and has written many non fiction books. For more information please see www.vernoncoleman.com where there are hundreds of free articles - and no ads!

He is the author of well over 100 books - including fiction and non fiction.

Novels include Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (which has been filmed).

Non fiction best sellers include Bodypower and How to stop your doctor killing you.

Memoirs include the many Bilbury books and his diaries. Somewhere in the world someone starts to read a Bilbury book every few minutes.

In 1983 he launched the world's first medical software for home computers. He has written columns for many major newspapers (including The Sun and The People) and written thousands of articles for many more. He has made numerous TV and radio series (often based on his books.)

Over nearly 50 years he has campaigned on many issues involving both people and animals and has as a result made many enemies among powerful pressure groups defending the interests of drug and food companies. But his books remain popular with readers and independent critics. His books have been translated into 25 languages and have sold over two million hardback and paperback copies in the UK alone.

What the papers say about Vernon Coleman and his books (a small selection):

Vernon Coleman writes brilliant books - The Good Book Guide

Britains leading health care campaigner - The Sun

Superstar - Independent on Sunday

He's the Lone Ranger, Robin Hood and the Equaliser rolled into one - Glasgow Evening Times

A national treasure- What Doctors Don't Tell You

Dr Coleman made me think again - BBC

His advice is optimistic and enthusiastic - British Medical Journal

Probably one of the most brilliant men alive - Irish Times

Compulsive reading - The Guardian

King of the media docs - The Independent

Coleman is a very funny writer - This England

Revered guru of medicine - Nursing Times

No thinking person can ignore him - The Ecologist

The calmest voice of reason - The Observer

A godsend - Daily Telegraph

'If I had to choose an all time journalist to admire it would have to be without a doubt the often controversial always knowledgeable and usually witty Vernon Coleman.' - Stewart Peterson, Greenock Telegraph

Brilliant - The People

His message is important - The Economist

The man is a national treasure - What doctors don't tell you

Marvellously succinct, refreshingly sensible - The Spectator

A rogue elephant - Sunday Times

Britain's leading medical author The Star

Perhaps the best known health writer for the general public in the world today - The Therapist

The patients' champion - Birmingham Post

He writes lucidly and wittily - Good Housekeeping

Dr Vernon Coleman MB ChB DSc FRSA qualified as a doctor though he has not practised for many years.He resigned as a GP after refusing to put diagnoses on sick notes in order to protect patient confidentiality. (The regulations were subsequently changed.) He resigned as columnist on The Sunday People after the editor refused to print a column criticising the Iraq war.

Dr Coleman has lectured to doctors and nurses. He is married to Donna Antoinette. They live by the sea in England where they are creating a large wildlife garden.

see also www.vernoncoleman.com for free articles and more biog

Also www.vernoncoleman.co.uk

And www.vernoncoleman.org

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
119 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Curious
5.0 out of 5 stars What a surprise!
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2017
Verified Purchase
Vernon Coleman, the name to me meant that very sympathetic country doctor, whose books I’ve so enjoyed. What a surprise I got once I downloaded onto my Kindle and started reading: “Life on the Edge” Who is this grumpy author, surely not Vernon Coleman!

Mr Coleman’s quote: Nothing much of great value came out of the silicon valley! I beg to differ! Kind sir, are you not selling your books on amazon and where did the Kindle originate from? Yes, indeed that useless Silicon Valley! I’m astonishment how negative you are about so many things.
Then again, I have to keep in mind, you do have that very unique British humor and it may all be in pure jest. Like the emperors new clothes.

For all that, I give this book a 5 star.
2 people found this helpful
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Jaroca2
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Chap, Dr Coleman is!
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
I enjoy his take on the idiocy and absurdities of the human condition

I am a product of an American GI and French war bride and was born in France I completely agree about the French in general

What I don’t understand is the willingness of the Brits to rollover to the EU and to support their homegrown greedmeisters the way they have

Dr Coleman, please allow me to host you for an evening by a fireside

I am a bit senior to you but will not otherwise discriminate against your youthfulness
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sandra newell
5.0 out of 5 stars I have read so many of Vernon Coleman's books...love them.
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
His books make me wish I could sail over the pond and spend time in his country....
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Principal Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars A Seventy Year Old at His Grumpy Best!
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
Coleman continues his diary series with a daily critique of British and occasionally French life in 2016. He shares many excellent insights, and his quirkey sense of humor often lifts the reader from a rather pessimistic outlook on modern life. Coleman occasionally gets slightly bogged down with the EU or BREXIT, but I find his diary series enjoyable reading since he seems to face many of the same challenges that I do in the USA.
One person found this helpful
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nannadonna
5.0 out of 5 stars Love your books
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2017
It is so interesting to hear your view of the political world we live in. Maybe it is because I am so conservative as you are! But especially in 2016 when things have been so turned upside down! I was disappointed in the results of France's election this week. I think you chose the right time to leave. I was hoping for more resistance to.the new world order.
But back to your books! I enjoy each and everyone of them. Including the ones written with your wife. I wish you would publish some of hers. I certainly would not be critical.
I loved all of the Bilbury Chronicles and fell in love with the villagers. I even read all of the books written under the name of Edward Vernon. I look forward to finding anything that I haven't read. Mrs. Calicot and Alice are dear friends now.
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Kindle Customer Kathie
5.0 out of 5 stars You are successful in your goals.
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2018
Your nonfiction makes me think and your fiction always makes me smile. Thanks I love Mrs C and I hope Billbury remains well hidden
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Jim Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2017
Excellent as always. I am a very big fan.
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J Z
4.0 out of 5 stars The best part of the book is the direct bearing on ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2017
The best part of the book is the direct bearing on society of the past to today. It's quite apparent to day generation doesn't have any idea what take place.
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Top reviews from other countries

MenteNomade
5.0 out of 5 stars The year of Brexit and the US Election....what did Vernon Coleman make of those?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Having been following the Colemans' antics over the past 4 years, I was eager to read this latest diary to find out where, if anywhere, they finally found a new house! In addition, being the year of the 'Brexit' vote and the US election, I was keen to read Dr Coleman's view of events as they happened. Naturally, his views aren't always those that I or others may share, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I understand when he complains about doctors not wishing to work the long hours that he did as a junior doctor, but having worked as a health professional in the NHS myself years ago, I have seen the problems and lack of judgement that a tired doctor can have, especially in emergency situations when they really need their wits about them - so in reality there needs to be some kind of compromise.

One thing I was interested in was whether Antoinette's health problem has been uncovered - but seemingly it hasn't as yet. I am so disappointed in the state of our health service and feel desperately sorry for her and the unfortunate experiences she's had so far. The world, not just the health service, has definitely become a very selfish, unfriendly place for a lot of us and I also fear for the future as they do.

As an aside, maybe it's something to do with producing e-books, but there are a few typographical errors dotted around in this, and the previous 2 diaries. If Dr Coleman would like a proof-reader, I'd be happy to oblige if he's planning to publish the subsequent year's diary!!
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Verona Lucas - V.E.Lucas
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in Australia on May 21, 2017
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I must be the same age as Coleman and my perspective on life is not much different. I enjoy knowing I am not the only one feels the way he does with where the institutions governing us are going and the change of behaviour of the general population.
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Trevor W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Night Reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2022
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Yet again Vernon Coleman has ensured that I do not enjoy my required hours of sleep. His Diary Books are impossible to put down, actually I read them in bed using my Kindle, at my age the good lighting is much appreciated. I do not agree with many things he writes but his humour diminishes any annoyance I may feel. When I agree with him I just wish that I could convey his views in such an entertaining style.
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White Camel
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2017
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I really enjoyed reading this diary by Vernon Coleman. I came across him after reading and enjoying the series of Dr books he wrote under the name of Edward Vernon but didn't appreciate they were the same person until he revealed it in the book. Do I agree with everything he says? No I don't. I'm not even sure he does to be honest and there are obvious exaggerations in order to emphasise various points but you need to be a bit controversial in order to stimulate thought and discussion and this book certainly does that. I have two main gripes, one being that Gloucester Cathedral didn't get a mention (joke), the other that were loads of typos so the proof reading needs improving.
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Douglas Wood
4.0 out of 5 stars Very well written rubbish.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have somewhat surprised myself in awarding this volume 4 stars, but Dr Coleman continues to display one of the hallmarks of the really good writer: the ability to force the reader to turn the page as surely as if he was holding a gun to their head.

But the substance of his writing needs to be treated with considerable caution. To take just 2 examples from this tome, in an early section he excoriates "the young" as to more or less everything they say, everything they do, everything they think and everything they are. Page after page of bile contradicts most of my own experience of them (I, by the way, am a few years older than Coleman). I find them for the most part pleasant, helpful and willing to work if given half a chance.
The second example puts the man into true flat earth territory. He asserts that British civil servants can usually retire on more money than they were earning when working. Well, I've been a civil servant myself (as well as working in the private sector and being self-employed) and I'm here to tell you, and Dr Coleman, that the absolute maximum pension practically any civil servant can receive is 50% of his/her final salary---and many manage considerably less.

I have picked out a couple of egregious examples, but they are far from alone. To be comprehensive would test the reader's patience beyond all reasonable limits. And yet I rather enjoyed reading it. E pur si muove!
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