Unfortunately my review copy of this book only had the first two chapters - substantial chapters and compelling - a shame I couldn't read on! Nevertheless, I enjoyed the writing style and particularly the fact that Fitzharris avoided 'info-dumping' (my pet-peeve in historical non-fiction).

The writing style is really good and I was really interested in learning more about the subject, but I wasn't aware that this was just a preview.

I really enjoyed this preview - a great introduction into the world of nineteenth-century surgery! I definitely want to read the rest of this book now!

Before reading this book I did not know Dr. Lister's contributions to surgery and medicine - we have a debt of gratitude to him. A book that does not need any illustration thanks to the author's ability in careful and careful descriptions. Recommended to anyone curious about the history of medicine or who liked the Quacks TV series.

Fantastic! Shame it's just two chapters. Can't wait to read the rest.

The first 2 chapters that I received in a taster ARC serve as a gripping introduction to this history of C19th surgery. Fitzharris is a very good crossover author: she has the research skills to support this as an academic history and melds that with a compulsive writing style that is fluent, clear and compelling. Gruesome in places, and wonderfully compulsive.