It was easy at times to get lost in the details but the story of how transplantation techniques progressed was a fascinating bit of medical history that I did not know. I was particularly fascinated by the ways cultures and institutions (like the church) reacted to and changed how these techniques were viewed and used.

Spare Parts
The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery
by Paul Craddock
Narrated by Paul Craddock

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes when listening to a nonfiction audiobook they can come across as dry especially if the narrator does not feel a particular connection with the subject matter. This book however is read by the author so there is a true feeling of what he found peculiar or funny or strange or sad or exciting. This makes the storytelling even more engaging. Plus as an American lady I think it’s fairly common that we enjoy a British accent (which this guy has) I mean I would listen to Benedict Cumberbatch read the phone book.

I work in a field that is medicine adjacent so I had a keen interest in the subject matter and while I do think this book would be interesting for anyone I will say up front I had no idea how many dogs lost their lives in the name of medical science so if that’s something that will bother you this may not be a good fit.

The book does address more recent advancements but primarily spends its time in the early days of transfusions, organ transplant, skin grafting, anatomy and the development of medical knowledge.

Fascinating listen. 5/5

Thank you to Net Galley for this Advanced Reader Copy in return for an honest review.

As medical professionals, it is often difficult for us to realize how much healthcare has advanced over the past 500 years. What we take for granted as basic high school biology (matching blood types, the purpose of blood) was explored in detail in this well-written book. The book begins with the author describing a kidney transplant, which has become a very common surgery over the past half-century. The book then journeys back to the beginning of medicine with doctors trying to figure out the purpose of blood and how a blood transfusion can be performed between species. Eventually, the book moves on to surgeries including tooth transplants and nasal reconstruction. Paul Craddock does an excellent job of highlighting not only the successes but the missteps that have occurred in order to bring us to the level of understanding we now have in modern medicine.

I would warn people that this book is not for those that get squeamish at the mention of blood and there is extensive animal testing that is described in detail throughout the chapters.

This one was very middle for me. Not good not bad just sharing middle of the road stuff like this recently.: just good in all

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Very interesting book! would reread, loved this and can't wait to read it! would recommend for sure!

I didn’t think I would really like this book as much as I did, it even made me cry. Just thinking that if it wasn’t for Willem Johan Kolff who started dialysis for kidney and artificial heart, I wouldn’t have known my grandad. Paul Craddock, the author, wrote that even the Layman could understand it. He even narrates his own book which I loved. I have learned a lot about transplants then I knew that was out there. Spare Parts has me wanting to read more about
medical history and where it started.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for letting me review this book.

3.5 stars
This was an intriguing read on the history of the medical advancements specifically transfusions and transplants. As someone who has no medical degree this was still written in a easily understandable way to follow along with.

Based on where we were even in the early 1900s and all the crazy experiments then and before that even to any common person now would find illogical and often inhumane, I am in shocked how we slowly made progress to where we are today.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audiobook for review.

An interesting history of transplant surgery from the 16th centry to today, Spare Parts is broken up by both type of transplant and time period. I loved the inclusion of pictures thorughout the book to go along with the history, and learned so much information! The inclusion of the "Transplant Future" chapter was also a really great touch to make this book comprehensive. The audiobook was read by the author, which I always find to be a really nice touch for books. Perfect for fans of the Sawbones podcast or the book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the gifted book and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

This book has a super interesting premise and the topic intrigued me. I enjoyed the different topics it discusses and how the transplant matter has its origins from folklore and myths too. I loved reading those! Unfortunately, after two chapters (these are long chapters), I wasn't able to finish the book. While the research was in-depth and phenomenal, the presentation of the facts was dry. This was most probably a me-problem. Please do not let my review deter you from picking up this book! There is a lot of good information in this book and the narration in this audiobook was good!

Pub Date: May 10th, 2022

***Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this gifted review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***