Description

pp. 270, “Weissmann, a doctor who has done prize-winning research on inflammation, joins an increasing number in his profession who have turned to writing to illuminate the potential and limits of modern medicine. In this collection of short essays, Weissmann makes impressive forays into a broad range of subjects (art, literature, philosophy, city planning, politics, and psychology); one of his purposes is to show the disparity between the scientific progress of the last few decades and the increasing social disintegration. Using his knowledge of history and the clinical skills of analysis, he creates fictional case studies to highlight issues. His prose is studded with quotes and a bit studied. But his insights into medicine and society are thought-provoking and seasoned with a sharp dash of satire”