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nmupp1324's review against another edition
5.0
10/10
This book is so masterfully written! I wish he went a little more in depth about the current research of cancer prevention. His other two books are just as good, but this one takes the cake for sure. It interweaved history and biology in a really interesting way that made all the information more memorable. There was so much information, I think I'm going to come back to reread this in the future. Him adding stories about his patients was so touching. Can't wait for another book from him.
This book is so masterfully written! I wish he went a little more in depth about the current research of cancer prevention. His other two books are just as good, but this one takes the cake for sure. It interweaved history and biology in a really interesting way that made all the information more memorable. There was so much information, I think I'm going to come back to reread this in the future. Him adding stories about his patients was so touching. Can't wait for another book from him.
gadicohen93's review against another edition
4.0
Hmm. My friend told me earlier today that I wasn't gonna like Don Delillo because he was "more style than substance," or something like that. I can honestly say that I took one star off this book because it was more substance than style.
What I mean is, I liked this book a whole lot. Information frothed over the top of pages like high tide; I learned so much. I understood almost everything. The humanity of it all really burst through. But I also zoned out some parts of the book, mostly because the writing was so clear, so straightforward, that I just got lost in the history and the science and couldn’t help but gaze down at the page numbers, flip through to see when the next chapter was coming up, then return wearily to the passage I’d found a tad tiresome.
The writing was so clear. It was too clear. The author (who I must say is some divine all-powerful creature, regardless of my momentary criticism) took the tons of research he’d complied and fitted it into a writing canvas that riveted at times, but also seemed repetitive at others. I can’t really blame him that much though, because the history of cancer IS quite repetitive: Scientist sees cancer, scientist studies cancer, scientist thinks of solution, scientist experiments with solution, solution becomes universal, etc. Obviously with some exceptions.
I loved the human anecdotes sprayed throughout. I loved the ending. I loved the tone. This book is so important. I’m basically bound to get cancer someday, I think, with my family history, my perpetual sunburns, my Ashkenazi Jewness. I remember I used to fret about the disease back in middle school ever since this boy a grade above me died from brain cancer. The thought of it haunted me for a while, and there was a period where I’d just walk up to my mom and tell her I felt scared. At least now I know that cancer is not entirely a mystery, and that we’re on the road to uncover the part that remains so.
What I mean is, I liked this book a whole lot. Information frothed over the top of pages like high tide; I learned so much. I understood almost everything. The humanity of it all really burst through. But I also zoned out some parts of the book, mostly because the writing was so clear, so straightforward, that I just got lost in the history and the science and couldn’t help but gaze down at the page numbers, flip through to see when the next chapter was coming up, then return wearily to the passage I’d found a tad tiresome.
The writing was so clear. It was too clear. The author (who I must say is some divine all-powerful creature, regardless of my momentary criticism) took the tons of research he’d complied and fitted it into a writing canvas that riveted at times, but also seemed repetitive at others. I can’t really blame him that much though, because the history of cancer IS quite repetitive: Scientist sees cancer, scientist studies cancer, scientist thinks of solution, scientist experiments with solution, solution becomes universal, etc. Obviously with some exceptions.
I loved the human anecdotes sprayed throughout. I loved the ending. I loved the tone. This book is so important. I’m basically bound to get cancer someday, I think, with my family history, my perpetual sunburns, my Ashkenazi Jewness. I remember I used to fret about the disease back in middle school ever since this boy a grade above me died from brain cancer. The thought of it haunted me for a while, and there was a period where I’d just walk up to my mom and tell her I felt scared. At least now I know that cancer is not entirely a mystery, and that we’re on the road to uncover the part that remains so.
niniane's review against another edition
4.25
Stories of searching for treatments like chemotherapy (adjusting the toxicity) and mammograms.
Also fighting the tobacco companies using lawsuits.
A lot of progress has been made on treatments in the past 50 years!
Also fighting the tobacco companies using lawsuits.
A lot of progress has been made on treatments in the past 50 years!
missyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
very interesting read. Well written so that even the lay person can get an idea of what is going on in the complicated arena of research and drug development. I am in the medical field and only had my head swimming a little in the area discussing oncogenes, RAS, BCR, NEU etc. it was great to see the influence of people like Mary Lasker and the impact that was made by devoted persons associated with ACS. My hat is off to any and all reasearchers as they seek more understanding with very little appreciation or monetary compensation for their efforts. I also applaud the physicians who are directly treating patients and the complicated hurdles that they encounter not only in the decision of the treatment/non-treatment for the patient but dealing with the psychological aspect too.
kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
Not only is this a history of humanity’s battle with cancer, but it’s also a history of scientific trials, a history of genetics, a history of surgery, a history of fundraising, a history of radiology, and a history of Pap smears. What’s great about Mukherjee’s book is that it creatively binds the threads of historical discoveries to give context for understanding the evolving treatments of cancer through (mainly) the 20th century. Parts of this grand history are shocking as the author details the butchery phase of cancer treatment. I feel that I come away with a grand perspective on the medical field. My favorite parts were often when we honed in on a single scientist doing simple research, who happened to be on the cusp of a world-changing discovery. However, because this book pulls in so many directions, I often wished for a more centralized storyline or more weight given to a certain area.
ray_tiko's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
ashley_krull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
machadamia's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
I listened to this on audiobook and I don’t know if I can read this without that. It does feel like a story to be narrated to but I feel that Mukherjee did an excellent job in weaving it.
He really did weave it, many many threads - patients’ experiences, his own experiences, history of cancer and treatment - came together in such a well balanced way to tell a tale of this illness that plagues so many. I learnt so much of what cancer is and enjoyed the journey of the scientific discoveries and trials made back then. The stories of patients were stirring and I found myself rooting for some of them. Even the author’s own telling of his emotions during certain times made me feel more empathetic towards him and his difficult job as an oncologist.
Excellent all around and highly recommend
He really did weave it, many many threads - patients’ experiences, his own experiences, history of cancer and treatment - came together in such a well balanced way to tell a tale of this illness that plagues so many. I learnt so much of what cancer is and enjoyed the journey of the scientific discoveries and trials made back then. The stories of patients were stirring and I found myself rooting for some of them. Even the author’s own telling of his emotions during certain times made me feel more empathetic towards him and his difficult job as an oncologist.
Excellent all around and highly recommend