A review by kabelon97
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee

hopeful informative slow-paced

5.0

One of my favourite books ever. I really enjoyed how it chronologically tracks our understanding of cancer, from Imhotep to german suppuration of the blood to our current understanding of somatic genetic mutation causing cancer. It was also fascinating learning about radical mastectomy and its perverse grip on breast cancer surgery and how the feminist movement helps push scientists to finding evidence for radical mastectomy's ineffectiveness. Also, learning about Sidney Farber and his importance in the leukemia and general cancer landscape. This book is long but near perfect. Would recommend to everyone! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings