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The Masters of Medicine

Our Greatest Triumphs in the Race to Cure Humanity's Deadliest Diseases

By Andrew Lam
Published by BenBella Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book
An in-depth look at the mavericks, moments, and mistakes that sparked the greatest medical discoveries in modern times—plus the cures that will help us live longer and healthier lives in this century . . . and beyond.

Human history hinges on the battle to confront our most dangerous enemies—the half-dozen diseases responsible for killing almost all of mankind. And while the story of our triumphs over these afflictions reveals an inspiring tapestry of human achievement, the journey was far from smooth.

In The Masters of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Lam distills the long arc of medical progress down to the crucial moments that were responsible for the world’s greatest medical miracles.

Discover fascinating true stories of scientists and doctors throughout history, including:

  • Rival surgeons who killed patient after patient in their race to operate on beating hearts—and put us on the path toward the heart transplant

  • A quartet of Canadians whose miraculous discovery of insulin was marred by jealousy and resentment

  • The doctors who discovered penicillin, but were robbed of the credit

  • The feud between two Americans in the quest for the polio vaccine

  • A New York surgeon whose “heretical” idea to cure patients by deliberately infecting them has now inspired our next-best hope to defeat cancer

  • A Hungarian doctor who solved the greatest mystery of maternal deaths in childbirth, only to be ostracized for his discovery

    The Masters of Medicine is a fascinating chronicle of human courage, audacity, error, and luck. This riveting ode to mankind reveals why the past is prelude to the game-changing breakthroughs of tomorrow.

    • About The Author
    Andrew Lam

    Andrew Lam, MD, is a retina surgeon and the award-winning author of Saving Sight, Two Sons of China, and Repentance. Before becoming a physician he earned a history degree from Yale University. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He has authored many scientific articles, is a co-investigator for several national clinical trials, and is currently an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

    Product Details
    • Publisher: BenBella Books (April 18, 2023)
    • Length: 368 pages
    • ISBN13: 9781637742631

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    Raves and Reviews

    """Magnificent!I enjoyed every twist through time of this beguiling reminder of how far we've come in medicine—and how far we still have to go.""
    —Susannah Cahalan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brain on Fire

    ""This is a book filled with extraordinary tales of extraordinary personalities. It's accurate, clear sighted, well written, and . . . cuts through myth to get to what really happened. In truth, no myths are necessary—the reality is fascinating enough.""
    —John Barry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Great Influenza

    ""Lam is a master surgeon, storyteller, and writer, and this combination produces a book that is both a pleasure to read and rich with information . . . A stellar guide to the breakthroughs that have defined and continue to shape modern medicine.""
    —Adam Alter, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible

    ""The Masters of Medicine vividly captures themix of well-planned experiments, serendipitous findings, and eureka moments leading to some of the most important breakthroughs of modern medicine.""
    —Gregg L. Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

    ""A skillful and engaging portrayal of the journeys through some of the pivotal accomplishments in medicine . . . Lam vividly describes the very human exploits, failures, and tenacity of clinicians who found solutions to some of nature's most perplexing problems. Andrew Lam has furnished a major contribution to the history of medicine.""
    —Thomas Helling, M.D., author of The Great War and the Birth of Modern Medicine

    ""A thoroughly ripping yarn that should be told to all. Remember: the next patient could be you.""
    —Robin Hesketh, Ph.D., author of Betrayed by Nature: The War on Cancer

    ""Stunning narratives of pain, disappointment, luck, and—above all—the hard work that it took to succeed.""
    —Robert Bazell, Ph.D., former chief science and health correspondent for NBC News"

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    The Masters of Medicine

    Our Greatest Triumphs in the Race to Cure Humanity's Deadliest Diseases

    By Andrew Lam
    Published by BenBella Books
    Distributed by Simon & Schuster