“Diary of a Surgeon” Offers a Medical Perspective on the Pandemic at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

The experience of practicing medicine during a global health crisis forms the foundation of “Diary of a Surgeon: In the Time of Pandemic 2021” by Joel A. Berman M.D., a medical memoir and personal account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Written from the perspective of a practicing surgeon and first responder, the book documents the demanding realities of patient care amid fear, uncertainty, and rapidly evolving medical circumstances. It will be displayed by The Maple Staple at the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, taking place October 7–11, 2026, at Messe Frankfurt, Hall 5.1, Stand D86.

Through diary-style entries, Berman examines the clinical and emotional dimensions of treating patients during a deadly outbreak. His account portrays the sustained demands placed on medical personnel while addressing the physical and psychological strain faced by those under their care. It also considers how misinformation complicated public understanding and intensified an already difficult environment. Beyond the immediate demands of treatment, the narrative considers the responsibilities of healthcare professionals and the resilience demonstrated by patients and medical teams throughout the crisis.

“Diary of a Surgeon: In the Time of Pandemic 2021” invites readers to reflect on how a prolonged health emergency affected perceptions of medicine, risk, and collective responsibility. The memoir may appeal to readers of medical nonfiction, historical accounts, and contemporary memoirs interested in the human experience of COVID-19 and the realities of frontline medicine.

A practicing surgeon based in Southern California, Joel A. Berman M.D. is the author of 40 books spanning novels, historical fiction, romance, murder mysteries, biographies, plays, medical texts, science fiction, and other literary forms. His varied career as both physician and author informs a body of work that moves between medical and imaginative subjects, including his account of practicing surgery during the pandemic.

At the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, “Diary of a Surgeon: In the Time of Pandemic 2021” will introduce international readers and literary professionals to Berman’s firsthand reflections on medicine, uncertainty, and human resilience. Free copies of the book will be distributed at The Maple Staple booth throughout the five-day event.

The wider Frankfurt selection is available through The Maple Staple’s Frankfurt Connect profile and its Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 online feature. The book can also be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading book retailers worldwide.

About The Maple Staple:

For bookworms, by passionate writers.

At The Maple Staple, books come alive beyond mere pages. It’s more than a bookstore—it’s a community hub for book enthusiasts and budding authors. Celebrating diversity, they curate books from up-and-coming independent writers, and offer a platform to underrepresented voices. With captivating events and book clubs in the heart of Toronto, they foster a vibrant literary community, igniting inspiration and transformation through the enchanting power of words.

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Emmanuel Laguardia

Director

The Maple Staple

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