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sarahcoller's review against another edition
4.0
This really was a fabulous biography! Mutter was truly a medical pioneer---full of compassion and making the most of his short life, while revolutionizing surgery and medical care techniques in an age of transition.
I loved how Mutter showed such humble love and care for the people around him---giving glory to God for the lives that were healed and saved.
This biography was easy to read and intriguing. Fabulous work!
I loved how Mutter showed such humble love and care for the people around him---giving glory to God for the lives that were healed and saved.
This biography was easy to read and intriguing. Fabulous work!
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
3.0
A fascinating look at the man who revolutionized anesthesia, how he got there, and the rivals he battled over the decades. It has some pretty fascinating (read: gross and morbid) facts about medical procedures in the 1800's that kept it interesting. You should also check out River City Reading's review of the book, which she pairs with a movie.
cluckingbell's review against another edition
3.0
Five stars for Mutter, and it started off as an interesting glimpse of early 19th-century medicine. Overall, though, it felt more like a disjointed and belabored biography of the medical school than Mutter himself. This might have been a fine goal in itself, but because Mutter was the ostensible subject, it seemed relationships and dynamics were characterized over-liberally in an attempt to build tensions that were never fully supported by evidence nor paid off, while others went completely unexplored (just noting "very little is known about X" would have sufficed in some cases, if only to satisfy my curiosity as to why they weren't being addressed more thoroughly). Still, the first 2/3 or so in particular were an intriguing and enjoyable audiobook listen.
marpesea's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating look at the history of surgery in the U.S. It's more a rosy biography than a look at specific cases and patients, but there are enough interesting bits to mostly satisfy a curious reader.
bookishwendy's review against another edition
3.0
I'm always interested to learn about the history of medicine. Dr. Mutter's Marvels contains enough interesting sciencey bits--the description of how he conducted "plastic surgery" on disfigured burn victims is particularly compelling--but the book as a whole didn't engage me on the same level as [b:The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery|161724|The Knife Man Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery|Wendy Moore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399112s/161724.jpg|156086]. I think this is because Dr. Mutter comes across as rather romanticized. He comes across as an intelligent, nearly saintly man whose worst vice is a tendency to dress like a dandy. The author interprets a lot of his inner thoughts and feelings, but I can't help but wonder what other unknown darknesses the man must have held. The Knife Man, on the other hand, depicts surgeon John Hunter in a more warts-and-all manner. He genuinely wanted to cure people, yes, but sometimes his more morbid curiosities caused trouble for him, though his thoughts and emotions were only speculated at. Still, Mutter was a fascinating person in his own right, as was the mid-19th century medical field to which he contributed a number of revolutionary ideas which we take for granted these days (such his determination to make surgical anesthesia a standard, not "crack-pot", practice).
mountain_adventures's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I read this book in preparation for a trip to the Mutter Museum. This book did not disappoint and really explained the legacy of Dr. Mutter. Unfortunately, the museum had very little of his work displayed. I have actually seen more of his work on loan at other museums.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
aschwartz184's review against another edition
5.0
As a collector of curiosities, I am familiar with the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia - but I have never been there, sadly. All I knew about the museum was what others told me: it is a fascinating display of medical oddities, specimens, and vintage instruments. I am dying to go there more than ever after reading about Thomas Dent Mutter's life.
I had no idea what sort of story surrounded the man nor the extent of contributions he instituted in the evolution of science, discovery, and medicine. I am still in awe of this magnificent man's accomplishments despite all the strife he encountered - both professionally and personally.
It is alarming what the early days of surgery entailed before the days of anesthesia and without the knowledge of germ theory.
Mutter's tale is an inspiring one that I feel would appeal to a wide audience.
I had no idea what sort of story surrounded the man nor the extent of contributions he instituted in the evolution of science, discovery, and medicine. I am still in awe of this magnificent man's accomplishments despite all the strife he encountered - both professionally and personally.
It is alarming what the early days of surgery entailed before the days of anesthesia and without the knowledge of germ theory.
Mutter's tale is an inspiring one that I feel would appeal to a wide audience.