This is a fascinating book about transplant surgery. I liked the way that the author, Joshua Mezrich, alternated between stories about his own training and experiences and the history and development of transplant medicine. As a layperson, I felt that some of the detail was perhaps wasted on me and the book would be more suitable for someone with a medical background but nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book. Joshua was able to make me share the joy he felt when a recently transplanted kidney squirted urine all over his hands!!
Transplant doctors aren't gods - they are just doing the job that they have trained for although their work often gives patients new life. The chapters about teams of doctors queuing up to harvest the various organs, arguing over how much of a vein each team could take with their organ and the shaving of skin from the body of a fresh cadaver were a bit gruesome and not for readers of a delicate disposition. Nevertheless this is a well written book, well worth reading and hopefully it will encourage more potential transplant donors.
Transplant doctors aren't gods - they are just doing the job that they have trained for although their work often gives patients new life. The chapters about teams of doctors queuing up to harvest the various organs, arguing over how much of a vein each team could take with their organ and the shaving of skin from the body of a fresh cadaver were a bit gruesome and not for readers of a delicate disposition. Nevertheless this is a well written book, well worth reading and hopefully it will encourage more potential transplant donors.