Description

An in-depth look at the mavericks, moments, and mistakes that sparked the greatest medical discoveries in modern times—plus the cures that will help us live longer and healthier lives in this century . . . and beyond.

Human history hinges on the battle to confront our most dangerous enemies—the half-dozen diseases responsible for killing almost all of mankind. And while the story of our triumphs over these afflictions reveals an inspiring tapestry of human achievement, the journey was far from smooth. 

In The Masters of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Lam distills the long arc of medical progress down to the crucial moments that were responsible for the world’s greatest medical miracles. 

Discover fascinating true stories of scientists and doctors throughout history, including:

• Rival surgeons who killed patient after patient in their race to operate on beating hearts—and put us on the path toward the heart transplant

• A quartet of Canadians whose miraculous discovery of insulin was marred by jealousy and resentment

• The doctors who discovered penicillin, but were robbed of the credit 

• The feud between two Americans in the quest for the polio vaccine

• A New York surgeon whose “heretical” idea to cure patients by deliberately infecting them has now inspired our next-best hope to defeat cancer

• A Hungarian doctor who solved the greatest mystery of maternal deaths in childbirth, only to be ostracized for his discovery

About the Author

Andrew Lam, MD, is a retina surgeon and the award-winning author of Saving Sight, Two Sons of China, and Repentance. Before becoming a physician he earned a history degree from Yale University. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He has authored many scientific articles, is a co-investigator for several national clinical trials, and is currently an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.