The Blue Man and Other Stories of the Skin
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
Written by a leading dermatologist, The Blue Man and Other Stories of the Skin provides a compelling and accessible introduction to the life of our largest organ, while also recounting the author’s experiences with memorable patients he has treated who suffer from mysterious skin conditions. Robert Norman begins by highlighting the qualities of the skin, tracing the history of its conditions and diseases, then examining the cultural, social and psychological impact of both color and irregularity. The book also features an absorbing collection of stories about some of his most intriguing patients: from a man whose skin mysteriously turned blue, to a hypochondriacal woman who begins to show signs of a life-threatening disease. This is a fascinating account of the dynamic nature of the skin, and the people who inhabit it.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Dermatologist Norman's (The Woman Who Lost Her Skin) latest book is all about skin from its puzzling presentations, to its painful diseases, to its relationship to self-esteem and social acceptance. Intrigued and challenged by the personal stories and science of his patients' illnesses, Norman relates their experiences with extra nipples, ears, and fingers; severe scratching, skin picking, and other psychological diseases. He covers the gamut from commonly seen eczema and psoriasis to "weird pathologies," such as scalp eating. As a medical mission volunteer, he visited a Haitian orphanage where only the "light-skinned" children would be adopted. And in Africa, he explains, albinism is terrifying for people afflicted with it, who face constant fear of amputations because their limbs are valued by witch doctors for good luck potions. While Norman targets a general pop science readership with this eclectic selection of anecdotes, his writing is still a bit technical for the average reader.
