Such an interesting book about such an interesting woman, someone I’d never heard of before, but someone who had such an influence on healthcare in America. Mary Lasker was very rich, and a philanthropist. She dedicated her life and wealth to improving the nation’s health and was instrumental in increasing medical research, in spite of the considerable opposition she faced. This meticulously researched biography not only delves deeply into Lasker’s life but also into America’s often conflicted attitude and approach to public health, and offers insight into why there is often opposition to such initiatives into schemes such as Medicare. Social history, cultural history and medical history are combined here with biography to great effect.

Before I picked up this book I didn’t know much about Mary Woodward Lasker, and let’s just she was an amazing woman.

I had heard of the Lasker Foundation but knew nothing of the story of Mary Lasker until reading this book. What an incredible unsung hero! Thanks to her efforts, we now have federal funding for cancer as well as other diseases. For a long time, the stigma was so strong about cancer, that doctors were afraid to test for it because they felt there was no cure, so thought it would be better for patients not to even know they had it. This remarkable woman was persistent and faced incredible opposition, including from the American Medical Association. She was so well-connected, she met with presidents and first ladies, congress people, and even had Ann Landers write a column for the need for funding for cancer research. Lasker created the concepts of citizen lobbyists and expert testimony - which are still used today. The author lovingly tells Lasker's story (including all of her fancy trips to shop for art and fashion) which made this a very interesting story. I am so glad we finally learn about this hero.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mayo Clinic Press for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.

I loved this book. I had heard of the Lasker Prize but I had no idea of the story behind it. Author Judith L. Pearson does a masterful job of telling that story and so much more. The biographical information was excellent with the perfect level of detail. The language was conversational and handled with great sensitivity. I also loved the inside look at politics and lobbying. The book was impossible to put down. Thank you to Netgalley and Mayo Clinic Press for the digital review copy.