The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science
$15.99
Description
Book Synopsis: From a New York Times bestselling author comes the gripping, untold history of science's darkest secrets, "a fascinating book [that] deserves a wide audience" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Science is a force for good in the world—at least usually. But sometimes, when obsession gets the better of scientists, they twist a noble pursuit into something sinister. Under this spell, knowledge isn’t everything, it’s the only thing—no matter the cost. Bestselling author Sam Kean tells the true story of what happens when unfettered ambition pushes otherwise rational men and women to cross the line in the name of science, trampling ethical boundaries and often committing crimes in the process.
The Icepick Surgeon masterfully guides the reader across two thousand years of history, beginning with Cleopatra’s dark deeds in ancient Egypt. The book reveals the origins of much of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade of the 1700s, as well as Thomas Edison’s mercenary support of the electric chair and the warped logic of the spies who infiltrated the Manhattan Project. But the sins of science aren’t all safely buried in the past. Many of them, Kean reminds us, still affect us today. We can draw direct lines from the medical abuses of Tuskegee and Nazi Germany to current vaccine hesitancy, and connect icepick lobotomies from the 1950s to the contemporary failings of mental-health care. Kean even takes us into the future, when advanced computers and genetic engineering could unleash whole new ways to do one another wrong.
Unflinching, and exhilarating to the last page, The Icepick Surgeon fuses the drama of scientific discovery with the illicit thrill of a true-crime tale. With his trademark wit and precision, Kean shows that, while science has done more good than harm in the world, rogue scientists do exist, and when we sacrifice morals for progress, we often end up with neither.
Details
Unlock the secrets of science's darkest past with the gripping and untold history in "The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science." This New York Times bestselling book by Sam Kean is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the dark side of scientific pursuit. Delve into the twisted minds of scientists who let obsession lead them down a treacherous path, disregarding ethical boundaries and committing crimes in the name of progress.
In "The Icepick Surgeon," Kean takes you on an exhilarating journey spanning over two thousand years. From Cleopatra's sinister deeds in ancient Egypt to the transatlantic slave trade that birthed modern science, no dark secret is left unexposed. Discover the shocking truths behind Thomas Edison's support of the electric chair and the haunting logic of Manhattan Project spies. This book is not just about the sins of the past; it also shows how those actions continue to impact our world today. Explore the direct connections between the medical abuses of Tuskegee and Nazi Germany and the current issues surrounding vaccine hesitancy. Uncover the disturbing reality of icepick lobotomies and their echoes in modern mental-health care.
Prepare for the thrill of a true-crime tale as "The Icepick Surgeon" seamlessly blends the drama of scientific discovery with illicit intrigue. Sam Kean's captivating storytelling, infused with his trademark wit and precision, will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Brace yourself for a journey through the dark underbelly of scientific ambition where moral sacrifices are made in the pursuit of progress. This book serves as a stark reminder that while science has brought immense good to the world, rogue scientists can still do harm. Are you ready to uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface?
Get your copy of "The Icepick Surgeon" now and embark on an unforgettable exploration of science's darkest secrets. Join countless readers who have been captivated by this tale of intrigue, danger, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
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