Like the History of Medicine? Read these 10 books | Patrick Kelly

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☠️NONE OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD BE USED AS MEDICAL ADVICE OR OPINION. IT IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT☠️

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[johnsimca]

You should add the Emperor of all Maladies a Biography of Cancer by Siddartha Mukherjee. It ranks as one of the best books I’ve ever read. Don’t let the size of the book deter you.

[hive_indicator]

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is an amazing read. I was a year ahead of him in high school, and remember him. He doesn't overstate what a big deal his dad was in that town. Not an academic text at all, but a memoir about how (and more importantly, why) he went from being a philosophy major to a neurosurgeon. It's a great book. Make sure to have a box of Kleenex handy.

[CatMom-uwjl]

I know this is an older video, but Rats, Lice, and History by Hans Zinsser. He was an early epidemiologist who spent his career studying typhus, and wrote this book in (iirc) the 1930s. He starts out with the history of disease and diagnosis, and the effects of disease on history, then goes into a specific discussion of typhus and its vectors—the rats and lice of the title. His discussion of the progression of a typhus infection in a louse is both informative and sympathetic, since he worked with them all the time, and even rather funny, when he describes the louse’s death as “giving up its tiny ghost.” It’s a remarkably interesting read, and one I’ve gone back to over the years to actually reread.

[mr.turtlesun]

I’d also recommend “American Plague” by Mary Crosby. Although it details the epidemic in Memphis, it also thoroughly describes Walter Reed’s discovery of the mosquito as a vector of yellow fever.

[neurotransmissions]

Thanks for the review!! You are amazing. What a lineup of other amazing books, too!

[victort]

Patient Zero by Lydia Kang is such a gem. Great history content, excellent paper quality.

[grammar_ash]

My favorite medical history book is "In The Likeness Of God", which is a biography of Dr. Paul Brand written by Philip Yancey. Dr. Brand was a hand surgeon who worked with tendon transfer techniques to help people with leprosy, and he worked in India as a missionary doctor in the 40s and 50s.

[alexisflory]

Also "the poisoners hadnbook" it goes over the early field of toxicology and some of the main players in its development along wiht explaining the biology and detection methods of the poisons listed

[PatKellyTeaches]

Let's hear those recommendations!

[imalahakhund]

I really loved The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks too! Good video! 👍🏼

[bridaw]

Some good books I read when as a non scientist (average curious person), interested in viruses many years ago: Osler’s Web, The Hot Zone, Virus Hunters of the CDC. There was also one I cant remember the title maybe “The Virus Within” ? All fascinating reads.

[crystalholder]

I read Vaccinated by Paul Offit WoW!! I read this book for a paper during my Microbiology in the middle of Covid 19 it helped me understand microbiology so much better it’s apart of my forever read collection. Who knew now I am happy because I’ve become a Registered Nurse and I love microbiology so much now and also The Emperor of all Maladies yea that’s a heavy hitter too.
PBS has an entire series dedicated to this book love it all.
Your Channel is awesome hopefully you can review Dale Dubin he is excellent at explaining the heart this book helped me with Cardiology Med Surg nursing ok.

[samuelcarlsen]

Love this type of video already looking forward to the next one
I’m always looking for new medical history books to devour
So I’m definitely going to scout out all the comments later on for some good recommendations
It would also be pretty cool to see a video like this where you recommend movies or TV shows two
Since there’s probably a lot more out there then just the knick that would be ideal for us medical history nerds to know about and watch

[Edmonddantes]

Thanks! My two absolute favourites are: Siddhartha Mukherjee: The Emperor of All Maladies and Atul Gawande: Being Mortal

[joelb]

Nine pints. Probably not nerdy enough for your tastes but a genuinely fun read about blood.

[stevengill]

Medical detective stories...my favorite - cheers! I'll definitely go right down the list of recommendations, perfect reading for this time of year...
And Dr Oliver Sacks? I have every book he ever wrote except his last one, which is on my to-do list of course....

[mizkcreations]

I'd love to DM but hopefully you'll see this. I'm a reality medical junkie (i.e. 24 Hours in the A&E and the like) and wish there were more documentaries about the history of medical equipment - from the stethoscope to bp cuff onto sonography, CT, MRI, and all the stuff in between. I mean who first figured out cauterizing and how to use it without setting fire to things.

I wish Ken Burns would delve in but I DO appreciate your videos. OH!!! PERFUSION!!

[Silverstar]

I loved all of Sack's books. I'm an old nurse, and love medical history. However, as I recall from the book, levodopa eventually had bad effects on the "awakened" patients, and had to be withdrawn. But I don't think we ever figured out where this disease came from, although I think there was some speculation that it was an aftermath of the Spanish flu, much like long-COVID or Guillan-Barre syndrome.

[Joy-TheLazyCatLady]

The very first book I own in audiobook format. I am very interested in infectious diseases, epidemiology, and whatever. Awakenings was made into a movie starring Robin Williams. Even my 10 year old son cried a bit watching it. I read the book, as well. I'm definitely going to check out your suggestions.

If you haven't already read it...
Asleep by Molly Caldwell Crosby (Encephalitis Lethargica)
Brain on Fire By Susannah Cahalan

[JulieHesse-mh]

The Speckled Monster by Jennifer Lee Carrell is a really good historical fiction book about early smallpox variolation, the interesting people who brought awareness of these primitive “vaccines” and society’s reaction. It brings in known characters like Ben Franklin and Cotton Mather. Overall, very well done. The book was written well before COVID but could have predicted the hysteria we all witnessed.