The Surgeon, the Midwife, the Quack: How to Stay Alive in Renaissance England

by Alanna Skuse, Danielle Cohen (Narrator)

Discover the remarkable birth of modern medicine.

When we imagine Renaissance medicine, the cliché is dreadful–unsterile instruments, a total lack of anaesthetics and shocking levels of infant and maternal mortality. And that’s before you get into astrology, bloodletting and a litany of bizarre ‘treatments’, more likely to kill than cure…

As ever, the true picture is somewhat different. Here, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, modern medicine began to take shape. Medical education was being formalised for the first time. Through dissections and hands-on experience in war, surgeons were documenting the intricacies of the human body and distributing their work across the continent. And, as European powers expanded their reach into the New World, new medicines and treatments were being discovered and cultivated.

Historian Alanna Skuse ventures into the bustling medical marketplace of Renaissance England–a world of travelling surgeons, prosthetics’ craftsmen, faith healers and, of course, snake oil salesmen. There’s the domestic healer, her kitchen stocked with all manner of herbs, tonics and elixirs, ready to dole out to ailing neighbours; the expert midwife, called upon when the physician and surgeon failed; the trusted apothecary, shop stocked with remedies for every ailment and ingredients from each corner of the globe. Humane and entrancing, The Surgeon, The Midwife, The Quack reveals the miraculous birth of modern medicine.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Audiobook, Medical

Audible Audio

Published October 16, 2025

Reviews

[Laura✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read — a lively, fact‑packed dive into a variety of medical practices and professions in Stuart England. Skuse’s writing is incredibly engaging and surprisingly funny in places, making the history feel vivid rather than academic. It’s accessible to any reader curious about everyday life in the period, and never once drags or feels dry.

If you’re after a more scholarly deep‑dive, Skuse has other academic texts, but this one is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about life in the past and wants an entertaining narrative while doing so.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly accessible, often entertaining, with companionable narration by Danielle Cohen. With an abiding interest in the topic, there was little new here for me, but i enjoyed it anyway.

What was new will certainly stick with me—like the 14th-century practice of slicing open tiny animals and applying them to the body to “draw out” cancer by luring it to fresh meat. Not every practice is so shocking, but there are, of course, several. I appreciated that the author situates this lay-level history of medicine in the context of time, place, and circumstances.

Imagine... the things we think we know that will prove primitive or barbaric in the future.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Surgeon, the Midwife, the Quack: How to Stay Alive in Renaissance England is an interesting look at how medicine was practiced in England during the early modern period ("Renaissance"). Professor Alanna Skuse teaches literature but focuses on history of medicine and science during this period. It's a fascinating look at various types of practitioners (e.g., physicians, surgeons, midwifes, apothecaries, etc.) facing market forces. Class and money often determined what kind of practitioner one became and also what kind of care was sought. War brought many injuries; the wounded provided opportunities to practice and innovate new techniques. I learned many new things, like the "Italian nose graft" with a flap from the arm and attempts at xenotransfusion (injecting blood from animals into humans). This was not too academic; I wished I paid more attention while listening to this audiobook.

[honor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun and very thorough account of the nuances of early modern medicine! I especially appreciated how frequently the actual texts themselves were quoted with clarifying notes on specific archaic vocabulary. I think I probably would’ve preferred to read this in book format; I’m not usually an audiobook person, but this was a lot of fun to listen to on commutes. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a comprehensive, but still focused and detailed account of this topic.

[Eleanor Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is of interest to people who enjoy history and medicine. Much of this book was shocking because of the primitive nature of medicine in the 1600s, and it is no wonder the death rate was high. While it was fascinating to me, it was largely written in an academic style and not really meant to be entertaining. I enjoyed reading about some people who really existed and what they had to work with to try to cure sick people and those suffering from acute traumas and the wounds of war.

[Cat Reinecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! The title caught my attention walking through the bookstore - but the stories enraptured! It was both a history of medicine and a glimpse into humanity in the Renaissance. At times gory, at other times human and heartfelt - great glimpse into what it means to be a doctor, and how far we have come medically.

[Susana Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this audiobook. The specific stories of individuals brought the general history to life. I cringed during the description of cataract surgery as the surgery is not that different now. The section on midwifery was of particular interest to me. I found this book through the Wicked Women podcast. I'd recommend both.

[Roisin Blackmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very surface level introduction to the 16-18c medical marketplace. Some chapters had great potential to be interesting (e.g mental illness), but lacked engaging content.

[dean VetUk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. the level of research and detail is high. at some points my partner and I laughed out loud and will honour the book by getting a plaque made for our "Room of Easement".