I loved this book. I found the stories compelling and the tone conversational. I liked that the book looked at only a few areas but covered them thoroughly. Everything was very well explained, with case studies adding even more clarity. But the book is not a paean to the people who made these discoveries. The book is very good at showing the dark side of these masters. All this made the book genuinely hard to put down. I think that this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of medicine. Thank you to Netgalley and BenBella Books for the digital review copy.

Andrew Lam does a deep dive into seven fields of medicine: Heart Disease, Diabetes, Bacterial Infection, Viral Infection, Cancer, Trauma, and Childbirth. In each section, anecdotal histories are shared and then initial discoveries ("mavericks") and a timeline of happenings, which includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. I appreciate the candor of the research told. Lam doesn't hesitate to share the dark side of medical innovations while on a path to true treatments and prevention.

This book is suitable for anyone who wishes to learn about the human history in these fields, in addition to the scientific facts.

Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

This fascinating book explores some of history's greatest medical breakthroughs. These inspiring true stories show how courage, error, and pure luck have advanced medical science. The author's engaging style draws the reader into a narrative that entertains and informs. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of medicine and where it might lead us next.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.