This work of non-fiction, written in Polish, is most simply categorised as popular science. It is about many aspects of medicine, especially in relation to art and culture. It ranges from technical details of genome research, for instance, to ancient myth, quoting a wide range of sources from various disciplines within both the humanities and science. Written in an anecdotal style, it describes the work of many Nobel prize-winning scientists as well as of great artists and writers in relation to medicine, and also the author’s personal experience as a doctor. In short, it is fascinating, beautifully written and of wide general interest.
This book follows on from Szczeklik’s first publication, Catharsis (Chicago UP, 2005), has similar aims and takes a similar approach. Catharsis received excellent reviews and was reissued in 2007 in paperback. In places this book is perhaps more scientifically detailed, while always remaining accessible to the non-scientist, but it is essentially Volume Two of Catharsis.