Vital organs

£18.99

From Napoleon’s penis to Van Gogh’s ear, from Marie Antoinette’s teeth to Marie Curie’s bone marrow, this book brings together the remarkable stories of body parts that have made history. We have always used and abused bodies. We’ve torn them apart, dug them up, experimented on them or taken bits home to display as trophies. Body parts have been used for propaganda in wars and pulled off in punishment. They’ve answered medical mysteries, been turned into relics and even saved lives. Now TikTok sensation and medical historian, Dr Suzie Edge, brings us a history of the world’s most famous body parts told through its most notable limbs, organs, and appendages, including how Queen Victoria’s armpit led the development of antiseptics; why Percy Shelley’s heart refused to burn; and the strange case of Hitler’s right testicle.

Out of stock

Description

The remarkable stories of the world’s most famous body parts.
Louis XIV’s rear end inspired the British National Anthem.
Queen Victoria’s armpit led the development of antiseptics.
Robert Jenkin’s ear started a war.

All too often, historical figures feel distant and abstract; more myth and legend than real flesh and blood. These stories of bodies and its parts remind us that history’s most-loved, and most-hated, were real breathing creatures who inhabited organs and limbs just like us – until they’re cut off that is.

Medical historian Dr Suzie Edge investigates over 40 cases of how we’ve used, abused, dug up, displayed, experimented on, and worshipped body parts, including why Percy Shelley’s heart refused to burn; how Yao Niang’s toes started a 1000 year long ritual; why a giant’s bones are making us rethink medical ethics; and the strange case of Hitler’s right testicle.

Additional information

Weight 0.536 kg
Dimensions 24 × 15.6 × 3 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Hardback

Pages

320

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

611.009 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K