Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The emperor of all maladies: A biography of cancer, by Siddhartha Mukerjee



This is a dense, detailed, and completely fascinating “biography” of cancer, the disease that most of us fear more than any other diagnosis.  It traces the earliest references to the disease, or group of diseases, to modern times.  The various personalities of the doctors and researchers who have made the study of cancer their lives work are keenly drawn.  The rivalries, blind alleys, horrific missteps, and cautious optimism as our understanding of the root causes of cancer advance are chronicled.  The author is a gifted writer and obviously a gifted and compassionate doctor as well.  His erudition is amazing.  470 pp.

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