The Emperor of All Maladies

A Biography of Cancer

English language

Published July 29, 2012 by Thorndike Press.

ISBN:
9781410447159
OCLC Number:
865341800

View on OpenLibrary

5 stars (3 reviews)

Here is a magnificent‚ profoundly humane “biography” of cancer — from its first documented appearances thousands of years ago through the epic battles in the twentieth century to cure‚ control‚ and conquer it to a radical new understanding of its essence. Physician‚ researcher‚ and award-winning science writer Siddhartha Mukherjee examines cancer with a cellular biologist’s precision‚ a historian’s perspective‚ and a biographer’s passion. Source: www.gale.com/thorndike/the-emperor-of-all-maladies-a-biography-of-cancer/-/N-5p?Ntt=1410447154||407543649106082523319736186052085972170&Nr=205&Ntk=APG%7C%7CP_EPI

26 editions

The Perfect Guide to your Altered Self

5 stars

This is the book that made me realize I wanted to practice medicine.

I was handed this book in my senior year of high school by the veterinarian I shadowed at the time after expressing interest into the pathology of cancer. He had told me that this book would change the way I see the body, and he was absolutely correct. Mukherjee covers the difficult concept of cancer with dignity and a vast respect for those who have suffered under its weight. It was the ways in which he described his interaction with his patients that made me realize clinical medicine was the future I desired.

Mukherjee has an excellent talent for breaking intricate topics in to digestible concepts for all to understand. You do not need a vast array of previous information to understand this book.

Years later, as I'm preparing to head off to medical school, I still …

Review of 'The Emperor of All Maladies' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I very much enjoyed reading this book as it was informative both on the level of science and the pain that cancer patients go through. I appreciated the pains the author took to track down the historical details of cancer treatment. I also liked that he does not lose sight of human suffering and hope when talking about exciting developments in science.

I can talk about minor issues with the book, like how some sections are too US-centric, and how sometimes the author tries a bit too hard to spice up the descriptions of the science and scientist. But none of the above reduces the value of the book, so I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

avatar for ianjs

rated it

5 stars

Subjects

  • Leukemia
  • Cancer
  • History