The Song of the Cell
An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human
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3.9 • 7 Ratings
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- $18.99
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
**Longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2023**
A NEW YORK TIMES, DAILY TELEGRAPH, ECONOMIST, MAIL ON SUNDAY and GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR
From the dawn of life itself, every being that has ever lived owes its existence to the cell.
'Will leave you in awe' Guardian
The discovery of this vital form led to a transformation in medicine but also in our understanding of ourselves - not as bodies or machines but as ecosystems. It has also given us the power to treat a vast array of mortal maladies...and even to create new kinds of human altogether.
Rich with stories of scientists, doctors and the patients whose lives may be saved by their work, The Song of the Cell is a stunning ode to the building blocks of life and the cutting-edge science harnessing their power for the better.
'Profound...As big a topic as life itself' The Times
'Medical magic' Daily Telegraph
'Vast...important...optimistic' Mail on Sunday
Customer Reviews
Cellular service
Author
Indian-American oncologist, cancer researcher and author who won the Pulitzer for his first book, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer (2010). The Gene: An Intimate History followed in 2016. This is his latest effort.
Summary
Mr M follows the successful pattern of his previous works, both excellent, with a highly readable dive into medical and scientific history, and how it has improved, or at least changed, clinical medicine. The text is sprinkled with numerous illustrative anecdotes from both his patients and his family, which help maintain interest. There’s considerable crossover with material in his previous books, although he injects enough fresh material to make it worthwhile. His style, which was superb 10 years ago, is even better if that’s possible.