Blood and Guts

A History of Surgery

By: Richard Hollingham

Narrated by: Liam Gerrard

Today, astonishing surgical breakthroughs are making limb transplants, face transplants, and a host of other previously undreamed-of operations possible. But getting here has not been a simple story of medical progress. In Blood and Guts, veteran science writer Richard Hollingham weaves a compelling narrative from the key moments in surgical history. We have a ringside seat in the operating theater of University College Hospital in London as world-renowned Victorian surgeon Robert Liston performs a remarkable amputation in 30 seconds - from first cut to final stitch. Innovations such as Joseph Lister's antiseptic technique, the first open-heart surgery, and Walter Freeman's lobotomy operations, among other breakthroughs, are brought to life in vivid detail. This is popular science writing at its best.

©2008 Richard Hollingham (P)2019 Tantor

Fascinating brief review of the history of surgery

This was a very nice listen to get a glimpse into the colorful history of surgery. It left me wanting a little bit more information about many of the individuals and some of the specialties that were left out. I would highly recommend it to anybody with an interest in the history of surgery

Amazing and absolutely worth the time

a line drawn from the past to the present of surgery. A lot of historical and interesting information that goes beyond the bounds of surgery. Loved it.

Gruesome and good

Anyone who works in the medical field is going to love this book about medical history.

Gruesome, gory and entertaining

An informative and enterntaining take on the history of surgery. To those interested in the subject I recommend Lindsay Fitzharris's The Butchering Art and The Facemaker. You will find lots of fascinating details about doctors Robert Liston, Joseph Lister, Harold Gillies and many other pioneers of modern surgery.

I love this book!

wow this is well put together. I love the content! i totally recommend to everyone