Description
Book Synopsis: “[A] remarkable journey.”—The Telegraph
The incredible life story of legendary cardiac surgeon and scientist Magdi Yacoub, an outsider who succeeded against the odds
Veteran journalists Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman follow the remarkable life of heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub from his formative years in Egypt, through spectacular success at Cairo University, to his long and distinguished career in Britain. Although at times he clashed with the medical establishment in London, Yacoub pioneered great advances in heart surgery. He was knighted in 1992, and in 2014, he was awarded the highest honor in the gift of the Queen, the Order of Merit.
Written with unprecedented access and drawing on extensive interviews and research, the biography recounts how Yacoub transformed the treatment of children with congenital heart disease. He performed some of the first heart transplants in Britain and the first heart-lung transplants in Europe. At London’s Harefield Hospital, he created the greatest heart transplant center in the world. Among his patients are men and women who are still thriving more than thirty-five years after he gave them new hope. This story is also about science, the development of new medical techniques, and a deeper understanding of how the human body works. Today, at an age when most people have long since retired, Yacoub is still pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding and surgical know-how. He is also taking heart surgery to places that until now have had little access to cardiac treatment, developing centers of excellence across Africa, including in Egypt, where his hospital in Aswan has an international reputation, and a new center is rising in Cairo.
Yacoub’s life is one of triumph and tragedy, success and failure, fierce criticism and high praise—it is also an enthralling journey through the worlds of scientific research and medical politics and ethics at the highest levels.
Details
A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub is a groundbreaking biography that takes you on an extraordinary journey through the life of legendary cardiac surgeon and scientist, Magdi Yacoub. From his early years in Egypt to his remarkable successes at Cairo University, Yacoub's story is one of overcoming incredible odds and defying expectations.
With unprecedented access and in-depth research, veteran journalists Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman uncover Yacoub's relentless pursuit of advancements in heart surgery. Despite facing resistance from the medical establishment in London, Yacoub emerged as a pioneer in the field, revolutionizing the treatment of children with congenital heart disease. His groundbreaking procedures, including the first heart transplants in Britain and heart-lung transplants in Europe, have saved countless lives and reshaped the landscape of cardiac care.
Yacoub's immense contributions to the medical field earned him numerous accolades, including knighthood in 1992 and the prestigious Order of Merit presented by the Queen in 2014. This biography not only celebrates his remarkable achievements but also delves into the scientific breakthroughs and deep understanding of the human body that propelled him to greatness.
Even today, Yacoub continues to challenge boundaries and expand surgical knowledge. While most would retire, he is committed to bringing life-saving heart surgeries to regions with limited access to cardiac treatment. Through his efforts, centers of excellence have been established across Africa, touching countless lives and transforming the landscape of healthcare in the region.
Yacoub's life is a captivating tale of triumph, tragedy, and the intricate world of scientific research and medical politics. Follow his enthralling journey as he navigates through fierce criticism and high praise, leaving an indelible impact on the lives of his patients and the field of heart surgery.
Ready to embark on this extraordinary journey with Magdi Yacoub? Get your copy of A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub and discover the extraordinary life of a true medical legend.
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