Matter of the Heart: A History of the Heart in Eleven Operations

The "dizzying" story of heart surgery is just as important as the nuclear, computer, or rocket ages, and it has been given the history it deserves. James McConnachie, Sunday Times The human heart has been a mystery for thousands of years, but in the late nineteenth century, medics began to explore it. Thomas Morris tells the stories of eleven landmark operations, from the 'blue baby procedure' to the first human heart transplant, in his book The Matter of the Heart. It showcases the triumphs, recklessness, bravery, arrogance, jealousy, and rivalry of surgeons and their contributions to saving millions of lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2018
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

The "dizzying" tale of heart surgery is every bit as significant as that of the nuclear, computer, or rocket ages. And now, it has finally received the history it merits.
For thousands of years, the human heart remained the deepest of mysteries; both the abode of the soul and an organ too complex to touch, let alone operate on. Then, in the late nineteenth century, medics began venturing into uncharted territory.
In eleven landmark operations, Thomas Morris recounts tales of triumph, reckless bravery, swaggering arrogance, jealousy, and rivalry, as well as incredible ingenuity, from the trail-blazing 'blue baby procedure to the first human heart transplant.
The Matter of the Heart offers a glimpse over the surgeon's shoulder, revealing the inner workings and shortcomings of the heart. It describes both a human story and a history of risk-taking that has ultimately saved millions of lives.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784703257