Empire of the Scalpel

The History of Surgery

De: Ira Rutkow M.D. M.D.

Narrado por: Gibson Frazier

From an eminent surgeon and historian comes the “by turns fascinating and ghastly” (The New York Times Book Review, Editors’ Choice) story of surgery’s development—from the Stone Age to the present day—blending meticulous medical research with vivid storytelling.

There are not many life events that can be as simultaneously frightening and hopeful as a surgical operation. In America, tens-of-millions of major surgical procedures are performed annually, yet few of us consider the magnitude of these figures because we have such inherent confidence in surgeons. And, despite passionate debates about health care and the media’s endless fascination with surgery, most of us have no idea how the first surgeons came to be because the story of surgery has never been fully told. Now, Empire of the Scalpel elegantly reveals surgery’s fascinating evolution from its early roots in ancient Egypt to its refinement in Europe and rise to scientific dominance in the United States.

From the 16th-century saga of Andreas Vesalius and his crusade to accurately describe human anatomy while appeasing the conservative clergy who clamored for his burning at the stake, to the hard-to-believe story of late-19th century surgeons’ apathy to Joseph Lister’s innovation of antisepsis and how this indifference led to thousands of unnecessary surgical deaths, Empire of the Scalpel is both a global history and a uniquely American tale. You’ll discover how in the 20th century the US achieved surgical leadership, heralded by Harvard’s Joseph Murray and his Nobel Prize–winning, seemingly impossible feat of transplanting a kidney, which ushered in a new era of transplants that continues to make procedures once thought insurmountable into achievable successes.

Today, the list of possible operations is almost infinite—from knee and hip replacement to heart bypass and transplants to fat reduction and rhinoplasty—and “Rutkow has a raconteur’s touch” (San Francisco Chronicle) as he draws on his five-decade career to show us how we got here. Comprehensive, authoritative, and captivating, Empire of the Scalpel is “a fascinating, well-rendered story of how the once-impossible became a daily reality” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Loved it

Loved the history got a bit preachy at the end. But the preaching was brief.

If they only listened to Lister...

Though Andreas Vesalius (16th century) makes an attempt to accurately describe human anatomy while appeasing clergy---who desired to have him burned at the stake. Many surgeons laughed at Joseph Lister’s innovation of antisepsis and this shun led to thousands of deaths (from infection). Within we learned of Harvard’s Joseph Murray and his Nobel Prize–winning, kidney transplant. Exceptional writing by Dr. Rutkow (five decades as a surgeon) who is a skilled anecdotalist. Read.

EXCELLENT FROM START TO FINISH.

As an individual who longs to become a surgeon, this book coupled with many others on the riggers of what a surgeon has gone through in the past, present, long into the future is summed up in this book. From cutting into the skull to using state of the art scalpels, the innovation that is coming to surgery is exciting and I hope to one day be apart of it. Currently I am in the beginning phases however; with the full body scans, intelligent scalpels, and robotics surgery. I have a lot to learn, and a long way to go.

Great job

History of surgery summarized in a very nice way. Put together in a way that is easy to follow and remember.

An old Operating Room nurse learns.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. I first learned about it on NPR. This gave me the impetus to find it on Audible. I immediately downloaded it. The history of surgery was fascinating. I have told my surgeon friends about it. I’m sure even they will learn something. Even non medical people will enjoy this book. I am listening to it the second time!