This was the story of John Hunter's life and career. He had a persistent curiosity in life and used his talents and life to answer these questions. In the process he brought the power of observation and experimentation into the practice of medicine, specifically surgery. Often his own worst enemy because of his unwillingness to bend to outdated treatments and philosophies he died arguing for his views. He was beloved by many because of his competance and knowledge.
I enjoyed this biography because I learned the bridge from old supersitious medical care to the medi al care of today, based upon observation and experimenation. I was not bothered by any of the "ghoulish" images noted in the cover quotes etc.
I would give this book 4 stars. ( )

Moore's book is a biography of the first "modern" surgeon John Hunter, who revolutionized the science of medicine in the mid-18th century. She does an excellent of tying in the social atmosphere of the day concerning medical techniques, borrowing viewpoints from Adam Smith, Samuel Johnson (and Boswell, of course), and Benjamin Franklin. Her only downfall, however, is that some of the chapters repeat ideas/theses from earlier chapters. Her study of Hunter as doctor/surgeon/scientist/natural historian/biologist is remarkable in its breadth and scholarship regardless of its repetitiousness. A great read. ( )

This is one of those books that I picked up at a bookstore, began reading, and decided to buy on impulse. Reading about the history of modern surgery doesn't fit into my usual reading patterns, but the writing was so good that I was quickly taken in by the story. The author sets the book up in chapters that tell about a particular anatomical part (i.e. The Giant's Bones) and uses that idea to advance the story of this gifted anatomist. She must have conducted extensive research to provide such extensive detail about the period (mid-1700's). I'm recommending this book to my daughter who is currently studying public health, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves either medicine, history or simply a well written biography. ( )

I am not a fan of biographies but I was completely captivated by this book from page one. A fellow Scot like myself, John Hunter created modern medicine and surgery as we know it, as well as being the inspiration for the next generation of artists (Joshua Reynolds), composers (Haydn), writers (Samuel Johnson, Lord Byron and many others) and of course doctors (Lister and Jenner in particular) plus Hunter would be credited with being the inspiration for Dr Doolittle and his house would inspire Stevenson's "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". He would later found the Royal College of Surgeons as well as the Royal Vetinary College. His museum of body parts and skeletons still exists to this very day. He would become Surgeon-Extraordinary to King George III and Surgeon-General of the British Army.

But despite all this, Hunter would be despised in his lifetime for his progressive and forward-thinking theories. With his colleagues still practising medicine and surgery from the Dark Ages, Hunter would be cutting up dead bodies, examining the anatomy of the body and discovering how things worked. He would do the same with animals from dogs to elephants to zebras. He would then give lectures to an army of adoring medical students while his scheming brother would steal the body parts for his own private collection.

Hunter would eventually become the premier surgeon in London, treating rich and poor with his modern ideas. He was the first to do autopsies on dead people, he invented methods which basically invented defibrillation of the heart (electric shocks) and artificial insemination to help a woman conceive. He would work for free with poor people while buying their dead bodies from the graveyard later. He was obsessed with immortality and whether it was possible to obtain it.

This book is extremely fascinating. Hunter basically started what we consider today as day-to-day straight forward common surgery. If it wasn't for John Hunter, surgeons today would still be doing blood-letting and induced vomiting!!! The book is very graphic and blood-thirsty and makes you realise the horrors of falling ill in 18th Century Britain.

Get this book. Read it then read it again. Keep it on your bookshelf and keep reading it time and time again. Next time you're successfully cured by your doctor, thank John Hunter. ( )

I can sum up my review thusly: I have never studied medicine, and I am not usually a fan of historical or biographical novels.

I could not put this down. It is stunningly written, engaging and fascinating. ( )