The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The readers can download The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.
Summary
A magnificent, beautifully written "biography" of cancer"from its first documented appearances thousands of years ago through the epic battles to cure, control, and conquer it, to a radical new understanding of its essence. The Emperor of All Maladies reveals the many faces of an iconic, shape-shifting disease that is the defining plague of our generation.
I got interested in The Emperor of All Maladies after watching Siddhartha Mukherjee talk about it on C-SPAN 2. Initially, he planned to write about his two years as an Oncology Fellow, but quickly realized that there was a much bigger story to tell. Cancer, as we now understand it, encompasses numerous diseases where cells in the body keep multiplying uncontrollably. In contrast, healthy cells are designed to regenerate and stop at a certain point. In this book, Dr. Mukherjee takes a step back and personifies Cancer as a character, almost like an underworld deity that has plagued humanity for centuries.
Instead of trying to cover every single type and subtype of Cancer, which would be an impossible task, he focuses on some of the more common ones and the different treatment approaches. What makes this book so accessible to the average reader without an MD or PhD is that it reads like a biography, delving into the "back story" of each type of Cancer, including potential causes like tobacco usage in the case of lung cancer. The book explores various treatment methods, ranging from surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, to immunotherapies. It also showcases the disputes and disagreements among experts in the field. Additionally, it introduces the key figures of the 20th century who played a significant role in President Nixon's declaration of war on Cancer in 1971.
I must also mention that the narration by Fred Sanders is smooth and engaging, not monotonous. In fact, I often find myself listening to several chapters during the day, and then setting a timer for 30 minutes to fall asleep while listening.
I can't stand books written in this style.
The book is overflowing with content that I find takes away from the true essence of the subject. For instance, the author has a tendency to sprinkle the book with quotes, many of which don't really contribute to the scientific aspect. It often includes excessive details that are completely irrelevant. And to make matters worse, the writer goes overboard with literary embellishments that don't really fit in. I don't understand why there is such a heavy reliance on Sontag's book in a supposed history of the science. Moreover, despite its length, many have pointed out that it leaves out significant parts of the history. I find all of this discouraging and a waste of time (although I guess Pulitzer prize committees enjoy this type of material). I have to admit, this style is becoming more and more prevalent, which is unfortunate for me. I gave up after a few hours.
This audiobook is a fantastic blend of storytelling, rich historical context, and a captivating exploration of the intersection of science and medicine.
Loading...
3 comments
Or use one of these social networks