Great Discoveries in Medicine

by William Bynum (editor), Helen Bynum (Editor)

Sickness and health, birth and death, disease and cure: medicine and our understanding of the workings of our bodies and minds are an inextricable part of how we know who we are. With the science of healing now more vital than ever, as our bodies face new challenges from the globalizationof disease, environmental change, and increased longevity, Great Discoveries in Medicine is a timely guide to medicine’s achievements and its prospects for the future.


An international team of distinguished experts provides an unrivaled account of the evolution of medical knowledge and practice, from ancient Egypt, India, and China to today’s latest technology, from bloodletting to keyhole surgery, from the theory of humors to the genetic revolution, from the stethoscope to the development of vaccines. They explain medicine’s turning points and conceptual changes in a refreshingly accessible way and answer some key questions: How has the bubonic plague influenced the course of human history? What effect did the birth control pill have on the lives of women and on society? What challenges does medicine face in our changing world?

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Medicine, Medical

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2011

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟I really liked that I got to learn about a bunch of different mini subjects in health and medicine

[Flynt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. But then I'm comparing this book, an admittingly condensed look at medical developments, with more comprehensive, in-depth books. The short chapters are appreciated, as are the quality illustrations.

[Don O'goodreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a change of pace: a coffee table book, 70 enthusiastic essays, lavishly illustrated, with tidbits like: "skirts were shorten to avoid picking up germs." Everything is covered, except maybe clean water ... possibly bigger boon to human life than all the rest put together. For more, checkout http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2012/0....

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

In 'Great Discoveries in Medicine', Bynum discusses just that, from surgeries to diseases to medical achievements, this book provides a brief insight into many aspects of our current medical knowledge, skills, tools and procedures.

I wanted this book to hit so hard but it just didn't. I enjoyed some chapters and didn't enjoy others. I think my main problem with the book was how vague and brief it was. Yes, it covered SO much but at the expense of detailed information. I read a lot of medical science books so I found I actually knew a good chunk of this information already because it was so basic. I think if I read this book prior to reading lots of other medical science books, I would have enjoyed it more but unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me.

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this is such an interesting book, easy to dip in and out of as we learn about all the discoveries that help to maintain our health. Fascinating although lots of names and dates as you would expect.

[Beatriz Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma verdadeira viagem no tempo...
Leitura muito fácil, fluida, que entrega o que promete
Percorremos alguns dos acontecimentos mais importantes na história da medicina.
Para quem quiser aprender mais sobre o tema, vale a pena!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love medicine so automatically loved the book <3

[JONAH GUILLERMO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book is filled with knowledge about medical advancement history, I find the writing style too dry.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit outside of my usual reading range. Very much enjoyed this accessible history of medicine. We've known about diabetes for 2000 years? So many advances in the last 100 years. The process of trial and error and discovery is fascinating.