A review by laurenkimoto
The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetuated in the Name of Science by Sam Kean

challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Here are some non coherent thoughts on this book as my brain is still reeling from it and the appendix…

The transitions between chapters and delightful little paragraphs that are reminiscent of the “next time on…” that follow tv shows 

Kean’s sense of humour, sarcasm, and wit shine through on occasion to bring some relief when talking about such a serious topic. 

I appreciate that the section breaks in each chapter are little pictures of objects that relate to the content of each chapter. 

The book starts off “easy” talking about pirates but then hits you with the trans Atlantic slave trade. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, Torture, and Transphobia

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism