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Reviews
Ten Drugs: How Plants, Powders, and Pills Have Shaped the History of Medicine by Thomas Hager
achuna2's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The implications of past medical discoveries on present day practices and diagnosis systems of modern medicine cast both a sense of urgency and awe. Awe in the sense of the purely speculative and seemingly lucky incidents that lead to further study and urgency because much of the mistakes or omissions of the past are still part of the cyclical patterns of problems found within present day research and treatment.
yukafujita's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Good and concise summary of lifesciences that changed the course of history from drugs to antibodies
paulsnelling's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and informative yet accessible. The book tells some stories about the luck and the hard work taken to bring new drugs to market. There are real contrasts between historical and contemporary discoveries, and the books always keeps in mind the behaviour and need-for-profit of big pharma, including some predictions of how things may develop in the future. There's room for optimism and caution.
jenfacen's review against another edition
4.0
This makes a great audiobook. I really enjoyed learning about the medicines discussed in this book, especially those pertaining to psychiatry.
kwheeles's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating, quick read. Author is not a 'Big Pharma basher', but does discuss the financial incentives inherent in a market-based system (i.e., drugs requiring recurring doses are more attractive than important, but short-term, therapeutics).