The Medicine Book

Part of DK Big Ideas

Author DK
An accessible guide to more than 90 of the most important and groundbreaking milestones in the history of medicine, and the people behind them.

How are illnesses diagnosed? When did the first successful organ transplant take place? Why are some pandemics so deadly?

This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.

From ancient medical practices, such as herbal medications and balancing the humours, through groundbreaking work including Jenner's experiments with cowpox, which laid the basis for vaccination, The Medicine Book offers an engaging overview of medical history across the world all the way into the 21st century with gene manipulation, immunotherapy, and robotics and telesurgery. Covering the role that therapies and drugs have played in the human quest to treat and prevent disease, the establishment of hospitals and later international medical bodies, like the WHO, and medical science's response to new challenges, such as accelerated antibiotic resistance and COVID-19, The Medicine Book explains the stories behind each milestone development.

Continuing the "Big Ideas" series' trademark combination of authoritative, informative text, The Medicine Book uses an innovative approach to make the subject accessible to everyone, whether you're a student of medicine or science, a medical professional, or an armchair expert.

Consultant Steve Parker is a writer and editor of more than 300 books specializing in science, particularly in biology, medicine, and allied life sciences. He has authored titles for a range of ages and publishers, including the award-winning Kill or Cure: An Illustrated History of Medicine for DK.

© 2021 Dorling Kindersley © 2021 DK Audio
We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in.
 
From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

https://www.dk.com/ View titles by DK

About

An accessible guide to more than 90 of the most important and groundbreaking milestones in the history of medicine, and the people behind them.

How are illnesses diagnosed? When did the first successful organ transplant take place? Why are some pandemics so deadly?

This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.

From ancient medical practices, such as herbal medications and balancing the humours, through groundbreaking work including Jenner's experiments with cowpox, which laid the basis for vaccination, The Medicine Book offers an engaging overview of medical history across the world all the way into the 21st century with gene manipulation, immunotherapy, and robotics and telesurgery. Covering the role that therapies and drugs have played in the human quest to treat and prevent disease, the establishment of hospitals and later international medical bodies, like the WHO, and medical science's response to new challenges, such as accelerated antibiotic resistance and COVID-19, The Medicine Book explains the stories behind each milestone development.

Continuing the "Big Ideas" series' trademark combination of authoritative, informative text, The Medicine Book uses an innovative approach to make the subject accessible to everyone, whether you're a student of medicine or science, a medical professional, or an armchair expert.

Consultant Steve Parker is a writer and editor of more than 300 books specializing in science, particularly in biology, medicine, and allied life sciences. He has authored titles for a range of ages and publishers, including the award-winning Kill or Cure: An Illustrated History of Medicine for DK.

© 2021 Dorling Kindersley © 2021 DK Audio

Author

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in.
 
From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

https://www.dk.com/ View titles by DK

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more