Christiaan Barnard: One Life

by Christiaan Neethling Barnard, Curtis Bill Pepper

The autobiographical tale of the doctor who performed the first human heart transplant.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, South Africa, Memoir, History, Biography, Book Club

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

South African surgeon Christiaan Neethling Barnard performed the first human heart transplant in 1967.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christi...

Reviews

[Sergio GRANDE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to interview Prof Barnard in the mid-80s. A charming and frank man with that pseudo sophistication of 80s Afrikaners who had traveled. Also a vain Lothario.
The book is simple, like him, and you can hear his voice in the narration.
A personal anecdote: I had taken a copy of the book from the library for my research and had it with me during the interview. Prof Barnard asked if I'd give him the book because he didn't own a copy. I apologized, made some excuse and then asked him to autograph if for me; I never returned it to the library and gladly paid the fine.

[Linsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I am a transplant mom-both of my daughters have had them-so to read about the very infancy of heart transplants. I was so fascinated with the book the whole time, especially when I found out about the work he did here in Minnesota. A great read.

[Lalith Srivatsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a must read- transplanting the heart is quite a task.

There's something about the Africans that keeps my interest in them.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe in what you do. Never stop learning and trying new things. Success and knowledge will follow from failed attempts.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such an amazing story. I found it among my mother's books. I was a bit intimidated by the subject and the length. It was fascinating and well-written from beginning to end. Christian Barnard was an amazing, driven person who was nothing short of a genius. He was a devoted doctor and scientist who had a goal in mind from an early age-to make a difference in the lives of those who suffered, especially those who had heart difficulties. The story was great from a medical, science, and human perspective. A very worthy read. I loved it!

[Eva Tipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

The part of the story that became a page-turner for me was Barnard's description of the man who received the first human heart transplant, Louis Washkansky. The patient seemed to be quite the character--one I grew to care about--and so reading about the transplant operation and what happened the days that followed was fascinating. One reviewer commented on how Barnard explains each medical situation in easy to understand plain English. I found that to be true. For anyone interested in medicine and/or the miracles of the human body, this is a recommended read.

[BAGNULO MARCELLO · Rating 4 out of 5]

La storia di un precursore: l'uomo che aprì le porte all'epopea dei trapianti, quando i più illustri cardiologi sostenevano che era impossibile perseguire quella strada. Oggi che i trapianti di cuore sono divenuti routine, tutti noi dobbiamo ringraziare questo pioniere che ha permesso che ciò avvenisse.

[Kimberly Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD! I love how honest he was with his shortcomings, feelings, and successes. I also liked how other perspectives were included from important people in the story. Not too medically technical that I couldn't follow, but specific enough that I could understand what was happening.

[Antonio Patano]

I found it an excellent book, mixed with personal matters and scientific matters, I love it. It let you understand what a human can do if only wants. Barnard was a surgeon pioneer, almost a visionar.
I reccomend its reading. I red it in a couple of weeks.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

27 1969 I suppose that a large ego is a prerequisite for someone who is trying to break through a barrier of naysayers and this book kinda makes this clear. Amazing achievement. Recommended to the normal crew.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting account of Barnard's life up till the first heart transplant. Absolutely fascinating. I couldn't put it down. I had no idea of the work and complexity that went into the world's first heart transplant. An astonishing achievement and one that surely deserved a Nobel prize

[ag Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in 1970 and read it again 51 years late, same paperback yellowed and brittle. Still an amazing story of medical breakthroughs. One of my favorite books.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has forever changed my life. There really isn’t much more I can say. If you love history, medical history, read this. I don’t care that Dr. Barnard was apparently an ass in real life. That’s not the point of this story. The point is the amazing event that happened, that he and his team, along with some amazing equipment and techniques that other awesome people created, made an amazing event possible, and our world was forever changed because of it.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love biographies. Very interesting how the first heart transplant came to be performed in South Africa. I researched Chriistian's life after the book ended and was quite surprised at the number of marriages and children he had.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best parts of this book were the parts about the other people involved in the life of the doctor. The family of the man who received the transplant. a fast easy read. i will forget all about it next week.

[Susan Roach]

I read this book many years ago. However remember it well, as it is the story of the first heart transplant. A real good read!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It illustrated his brilliance and shortcomings - an excellent portrayal of a real person and not a persona as many biographies are.