Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography

By: Sherwin B. Nuland, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Sherwin B. Nuland

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Discover medical science's extraordinary journey from a time when even the slightest cut held the threat of infection and death to today's era of routine organ transplants and daily headlines about the mysteries of DNA and the human genome. What major discoveries made this transition possible? Who were the fascinating individuals responsible for those discoveries, and what qualities prepared each of them for their unique roles in medical history?

These 12 compelling lectures draw on the lives of medicine's greatest contributors to tell the human story behind the development of Western scientific medicine. Professor Nuland reveals the human side of science - a story about strivings, disappointments, triumphs of human genius, and even greed.

This course is a must-have for anyone interested in the fascinating story of medicine's evolution-and the brilliant men and women who made this journey possible. Topics include the rise of universities and how they influenced medical education; the appearance of scientific method and what we call "inductive reasoning"; the influence of individual personality on achievement along with the accompanying influence of national character and culture; the role of the church; and the part played by each discoverer's psychological makeup.

Please note: This course contains some discussion about certain historical medical practices and experiments that, while common in their time, may seem barbaric and unusual to us today. The professor does not necessarily describe them in graphic detail, but due to the subject matter of this course, some descriptions of these practices do arise. This should be noted before selecting this course for a young or sensitive individual.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2005 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2005 The Great Courses

Great Review of Medicine's history

What did you love best about Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography?

I am a retired Surgeon, and although I took a course on the History of Medicine in medical school, I wanted to review it. The course by Dr Nuland was extraordinary. His course was extremely logical, well organized, and memorable. His delivery was the best of any of the courses I have heard - I appreciate his deliberate, unrushed presentation - allowing time to digest the information. History presented by biography is the best. Thank you Professor Nuland.

13 people found this helpful

Incredible review of medical history

As a physician, I thought this was an amazing review of medical history. The initial lectures were especially superb. Perhaps in a subsequent edition, we can hear about other greats (e.g. William Osler, Robert Koch, etc.). I highly recommend this audio book.

10 people found this helpful

Best Lecturer in the Great Courses

What made the experience of listening to Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography the most enjoyable?

The way this fellow presents his material is masterful. His voice adds interest--it is as if he is just talking to you instead of lecturing. I have listened to this three times and enjoy it more each time. I have listened to about 10 different Great Courses and they are all pretty good but this fellow is the best I have heard.

6 people found this helpful

Why we do what we do

If you could sum up Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography in three words, what would they be?

This is a great book with the history of western medicine and how the things we do now came about . Every physician should listen to this.

5 people found this helpful

Engaging overview of Medical History.

What did you love best about Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography?

Details some of the major advances in scientific knowledge of health and disease, presented through the stories of some remarkable individuals.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography?

My favourite is Virchow, the diminutive German who was a wonderful scientist and also a social activist.

What about Professor Sherwin B. Nuland’s performance did you like?

The structure and presentation of each lecture was engaging and full of content.

Any additional comments?

Worth a listen for anyone interested in medical history as an example of the remarkable progress of humanity, particularly over the last 200 years.

3 people found this helpful

Never learned this

Awesome. Am a doctor and was not taught any of this-99% of it anyway. I hope they make a part 2!! It made me appreciate the dedication of those before us and the progress that has been made. I had no idea how Hopkins came about or history of pediatric heart surgery. Well done.

2 people found this helpful

Disappointing

Mainly s history of surgery with very little on infectious disease or what doctors do to save lives.

2 people found this helpful

Amazing if you are in the medical field

I absolutely loved this book! I am a veterinary student so the history of medicine and how we got to where we are today is fascinating to me! However it might be slow to other people. The lecturer is amazing and you can tell how much he loves this subject! He is pretty good about keep the technical jargon to a minimum

2 people found this helpful

Fascinating

The most interesting history lesson/refresher I've ever read on medicine and I've been in the field for 44 years.
I didn't realize that women were so influential in the early days of medical treatment and research.

1 person found this helpful

Fun and educational

Where does Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have read a lot but this audiobook stood out with my favorites because of the details given and the well prepared way they were delivered.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctors: The History of Scientific Medicine Revealed Through Biography?

I enjoyed hearing about the first medical school and all the firsts of the medical profession.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes i would have liked to if i only had the time

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this to other listeners

1 person found this helpful

Well Written, But Too Short

This course is a brief history of western medicine from the Greeks up to the middle of the 20th Century. The topics covered include the Greek theory of the Four Humours, the overturning of ancient anatomical theory and the development of cardiac surgery.

The quality of this lecture course is outstanding, certainly deserving of 5 stars if that was the only factor. The topics are interesting, concentrating a little bit on the history surgery which seems to be the lecturers speciality. Things like the invention of the physical examination, cell theory and pathology are all discussed mainly in reference to the impact on surgery. This doesn't detract from the course at all, but is worth knowing going in.

The problem with this course is that it is far too short. The lecturer moves extremely quickly through history, leaving many inventions and discoveries behind and 12 lectures just doesn't give enough space to cover such an interesting topic in any meaningful way. I hope they do a second version which is 18 hours instead of 6 because it is clear there is a lot more to discuss here.

I definitely recommend giving this course a go, but know that you will be left wanting for more.

2 people found this helpful