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Spare Parts

An Unexpected History of Transplants
3.89 goodreads logo

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( 708 ratings, 159 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Spare Parts by Paul Craddock, the author delves into the fascinating history of transplant surgery, exploring the evolution of medical science through the stories of pioneering surgeons and their patients. The book blends biography, history, and memoir, examining the ethical dilemmas and societal impacts that have accompanied these groundbreaking medical advancements. Through this engaging narrative, readers gain a deeper understanding of the profound complexities and human stories behind organ transplants.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have an interest in the fascinating history of medicine and surgery. It delves into the intriguing stories behind transplant surgeries, showing how medicine has evolved through time. This insightful exploration is perfect for those who enjoy biographies with a blend of historical and scientific insights.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An astonishing, inspiring (and occasionally gruesome) history of transplant surgery, rich in untold stories and unsung heroes.

We think of transplant surgery as one of the medical wonders of the modern world, but it's a lot older than you think. As ancient as the pyramids, its history is even more surprising.

In Spare Parts, cultural historian Paul Craddock takes us on a fascinating journey, from Indian surgeons regrafting lost noses in the sixth century BC, to seventeenth-century blood transfusions between humans and dogs, to the French seamstress whose needlework paved the way for kidney transplants in the early 1900s.

Expertly weaving together philosophy, science and cultural history, Spare Parts explores how transplant surgery has constantly tested the boundaries between human, animal and machine. It shows us that the historyβ€”and futureβ€”of transplant surgery is tied up with questions not only about who we are, but also what we are, and what we might become.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Many reviews praise Spare Parts for its fascinating and thorough exploration of transplant surgery's history, combining meticulous research with engaging storytelling. Readers find it both an entertaining and educational journey, full of compelling stories and intriguing characters. The book is lauded for making complex medical histories accessible and thought-provoking, providing insights into the advancements and cultural narratives surrounding organ transplantation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241370261

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 August 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 256g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Paul Craddock is Honorary Senior Research Associate in the Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences at UCL Medical School in London. His PhD explored how transplants have for centuries invited reflection on human identity, a subject on which he has also lectured internationally. Spare Parts, which won a Special Commendation from the Royal Society of Literature, is his first book.

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