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bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
4.0
It's an interesting book, although some parts more so than others. The Man Who Touched His Own Heart is good for the average person who has some knowledge of biology, anatomy, and evolution but wants to learn more. I've read other books that went into more depth, especially the scientific research and discoveries. The author brings up topics that other similar books don't such as discoveries about hearts throughout history and evolution's effects on human hearts.
balletbookworm's review
3.0
More like a 3.5 star. I like the idea and concept, but a few of the arguments were a bit convoluted (ex: he discusses a 2012 meta-analysis looking at medication+angio/stent for atherosclerosis vs medication alone then jumps back about 30 years by referencing studies in the 80s/90s that contradicted the meta-analysis's findings...huh? I do research and those paragraphs didn't make as much sense). I also felt like bits were missing from the story such as the development of heart valve replacements/repair and the extension of the heart-lung machine to ECMO (extracorporeal membranous oxygenation - allows the lungs to rest and heal while the heart pumps, which could have been briefly introduced/explained) and the development of the complex operations to save children born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
One thing that I think would have been very good for the book, considering this is written for a lay audience, is an actual description - with pictures - of the normal working anatomy of the heart. Because there's a point at which Dunn describes in writing the four congenital malformations that comprise Tetralogy of Fallot and even I found it really hard to visual what he was talking about and I know what they are.
(Caveat: if you are an animal lover, this book may not be for you. The history of medical discovery is paved with the use of laboratory animals for research, often in non-ethical ways, none more so than the treatment of cardiac ailments.)
One thing that I think would have been very good for the book, considering this is written for a lay audience, is an actual description - with pictures - of the normal working anatomy of the heart. Because there's a point at which Dunn describes in writing the four congenital malformations that comprise Tetralogy of Fallot and even I found it really hard to visual what he was talking about and I know what they are.
(Caveat: if you are an animal lover, this book may not be for you. The history of medical discovery is paved with the use of laboratory animals for research, often in non-ethical ways, none more so than the treatment of cardiac ailments.)
ecooper99's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
I really like these types of books: science-based, anecdote-laden, medical in nature. I was excited to pick this one up, but about half-way through I started to lose interest. Maybe it was the pacing, or perhaps it was just Dunn's writing style. Occasionally, this leisurely, educational stroll through the history of cardiac science had me checking my own pulse to ensure I was still awake.
The best way I can describe the experience of reading this book is to say that it's like being at a dinner party and listening to people regale you with anecdotes of scientific breakthroughs. But like at any such gathering, there are stories that captivate, and stories that bore... sometimes the tales are either overly long or a little too repetitive.
That said, the moments of revelation and profound insight into the heart's mysteries were intriguing. I just wish there'd been more of them.
wghart's review against another edition
3.0
Really interesting and informative! I know so much more about the heart now than I ever did before. Already passing this book around to my family members, would highly recommend everyone gives it a read!
adrirose's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting history - especially loved the story of Dr. Forssmann catheterizing himself. Made me excited to read more medical history.
my_potato_farm's review against another edition
4.0
Very cool book. The cover treatment made me think this would be a collection of anecdotes, but it's not at all. It has a nice flow and the chapters are connected to each other. There's a lot of fascinating history of science and also just regular old science. Well done.