Great historical facts read in succession but unfortunately not captivating enough of an audio for my 3yo. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC though. I think I would love it as a hard copy

A Sick History of Medicine will teach you all kinds of fascinating, strange, and sometimes gross things about medicine from ages long past to now.

With jaunty jazz playing in the background, we learn how doctors used the heads of ants and beetles during surgery, what weird things medicines from an apothecary might contain, how maggots and leeches have historically been used in medicine and how they're still used today. We'll learn how a pee wheel might help diagnose an illness and how a fecal transplant could help cure what ails you. Long ago, you might have had a barber working on you instead of a surgeon or a blacksmith in place of a dentist. We learn about dissection parties, and amputation competitions, and so many other weird and wonderful things from the history of medicine. I think my favorite part was learning how frogs may have helped inspire Mary Shelley's Frankenstein story.

This is a collection of interesting and somewhat gross facts about how medicine was practiced in the past, and occasionally even now. I liked the audio effects, and I think it will certainly entertain any kids who listen.

A short concise over view of all the interesting things we use to believe and do in the name of medicine and healthcare. This book is perfect for kids interested in how medicine works or why we do things the way we do now. Some of this stuff I had no clue about and a lot of it is bound to make your kid giggle and laugh and maybe say ewwww. This is a great little book for kids peaking their interest in medicine and the human body. The audio version of the book is even better because they make sure to have fun sound effects in the book and the narrators tone keeps you listening and interested.

"A Sick History of Medicine" by Jelena Poleksic offers a fascinating dive into the gross and gritty aspects of medical history that are sure to captivate older children. The book presents an array of interesting and often revolting facts, such as the bizarre methods of wound cleaning, peculiar ancient bowel remedies, and the use of leeches and worms in treatment.

For curious young minds with a penchant for the macabre, this book delivers on its promise of intriguing true stories from medicine's early beginnings. The humor and quirky details keep the reading engaging, making it an excellent choice for kids eager to learn about the more outrageous side of healthcare.

While the audiobook format is decent, the print version likely enhances the experience, allowing readers to fully appreciate the illustrations and layout that complement the text. Overall, "A Sick History of Medicine" is a fun and educational read that appeals to children’s natural curiosity about the strange and gross realities of the past.

4 Stars ✨

Thank you MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for an advanced audio copy of A Sick History of Medicine, in return for an honest review.

Audio Narration 🎧

Reader beware!! This is definitely a “GROSS” History of Medicine. Written by a doctor, you can tell that it was fully researched. The narrator was absolutely perfect and entertaining. I do however, feel like reading the physical book along with the audio would have been better to get the whole experience, because who doesn’t want pictures when the audio is disgusting enough. :P My kids and I listened to this together as a part of our homeschool. We had a fun time saying “EWWW” and “GROSS” over and over again and laughing a lot. Not only was it disturbing, gross and fun- we learned a lot about the history of medicine. There were facts about inventions, X-rays, vaccines, dental care and how Barbers used to be the doctors in the town. Would recommend for a fun addition to your classroom or home library unless you have a weak stomach… then I would suggest you pass!!

This was hilariously disgusting and fun. There were so many crazy things through history that people used to do, but there were also great explanations about developments in modern medicine. Some of the things from the past were so crazy, but the craziest thing was that I've seen some of the craziest recommended by people who try to be "natural," like drinking your own pee. I kept thinking about this after I finished, and while this is for kids, I think parents listening with their kids will enjoy it just as much. Thanks to NetGalley, I got to listen to the audiobook, which had a fun, energetic narrator.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for an ALC of A Sick History of Medicine!

"Written by a doctor, everything in this book has been scrupulously researched and readers will learn about the development of some of our greatest inventions, from vaccines to X-rays. Amusing illustrations by Ella Kasperowicz make this a book kids will want to return to again and again."

A Sick History of Medicine is such an entertaining audiobook! The narrator Tim Campbell does such a wonderful job of keeping it fun and silly. I'm looking forward to getting a physical copy of the book and the other book in the series!!

First - Please note that while I personally received the Audiobook, my <b>rating</b> is specific to the content itself, the print version.

Certainly pretty gross, this will catch - and keep - children's attention (if they're into that stuff). Thankfully it was never <i>too</i> gross. The way it's written will also be perfect for kids, from the sounds of it it's just a bunch of interconnected fun facts. I'd love to see the book in print, so I could better appreciate the facts individually. Via audio, it feels a little like they're all just thrown at you. I really enjoyed Tim Campbell's voice too. The audio wasn't completely a bust, I'd just recommend it for older kids who will be able to grasp that this isn't really a cohesive story, more of a collection of knowledge. Toward the end of the book though, there are (what I'd guess is) a few pages worth of introductions; Tim Campbell is just saying "I'm so-and-so and I -blah-blah-blah. I'm (a different) so and so and I blah-blah-blah". Again an assumption, but maybe there were pictures of each person so it made a little more sense in context? So if you do choose the audiobook, maybe just skip over that part so it's not confusing.

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Jelena Poleksic, Neon Squid, Tim Campbell, Macmillan Audio and Macmillian Young Listeners for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!}