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breakablecatepillar's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
yates9's review against another edition
4.0
Disgusting but informative insightful jump into the world of surgery and its history. The impact of technological advance parallels in importance on outcomes to the development of manual technique and even more important, the conceptual models of disease.
paulsnelling's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of stories, originally journal articles, combining accounts of historical figures’ surgical procedures along with erudite explanations of the techniques involved then and now. We learn of Lenin’s strokes, an astronaut’s placebo and a particular favourite, Louis XIV’s bottom and his revolting habits. My bath book for the past year, its a rare combination of wit and information brilliantly written by a dutch surgeon. Highly recommended.
jessicafarmer80's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to Under the Knife on audiobook. The book contains lots of info - but the stories are very interesting. They made me want to research several historical figures! I’m trying to bump up my non-fiction reading and this was a pleasant surprise!
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
4.0
Van de Laar has a wry and witty style that makes Under the Knife a pleasure to read. The vignettes are short and easily digestible, but I never felt like things were being dumbed down. Van de Laar has a gift for explaining complex medical concepts that serves him well here.
veecaswell's review against another edition
5.0
I do love Medical History (I even studied it, thank you GCSE History!) and I knew I would find this book a fascinating read and I wasn’t let down at all as Van De Laar gives us chapter after chapter of how medicine and surgery has changed but also most well known examples of their use.
The chapters that particularly captured my attention were the chapters on Shock near the beginning of the book and the story of Empress Sisi which is both interesting but also incredible, thinking what the body can deal with when it is in a state of shock. The chapter on Narcosis is also fascinating and how it links to Queen Victoria really puts the issue in context for the reader.
Throughout the book are useful text boxes giving you a further depth to the area the chapter is focused on that really adds to the understanding of the book. Covering a range of topics from Anesthesiology to Sutures that really add to the topic you are reading about.
A well presented and brilliant read for the medical history nerd in your life, Under The Knife is a cut above the rest (I’m sorry).
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
The chapters that particularly captured my attention were the chapters on Shock near the beginning of the book and the story of Empress Sisi which is both interesting but also incredible, thinking what the body can deal with when it is in a state of shock. The chapter on Narcosis is also fascinating and how it links to Queen Victoria really puts the issue in context for the reader.
Throughout the book are useful text boxes giving you a further depth to the area the chapter is focused on that really adds to the understanding of the book. Covering a range of topics from Anesthesiology to Sutures that really add to the topic you are reading about.
A well presented and brilliant read for the medical history nerd in your life, Under The Knife is a cut above the rest (I’m sorry).
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
leemac027's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fascinating book that looks at the development of surgery across the centuries. Each chapter is devoted to a specific type of procedure and how it was originally conducted, through to modern developments that include hygiene procedures and of course technology.
The accounts of surgeons looking after King Louis XIV, Lee Harvey Oswald, Bob Marley and even an electric eel are fascinating. It is incredible to read about how surgeons in the 16th and 17th centuries conducted procedures without any anesthetic - just hold down the patient!
The author, Arnold van de Laar is a surgeon in Amsterdam, so is an authoritative voice who provides excellent insights. A really good historical read.
The accounts of surgeons looking after King Louis XIV, Lee Harvey Oswald, Bob Marley and even an electric eel are fascinating. It is incredible to read about how surgeons in the 16th and 17th centuries conducted procedures without any anesthetic - just hold down the patient!
The author, Arnold van de Laar is a surgeon in Amsterdam, so is an authoritative voice who provides excellent insights. A really good historical read.