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elzbethmrgn's Reviews (667)
As others (including Porter himself) have noted, this is a pared-down version of [b:The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity|340577|The Greatest Benefit to Mankind A Medical History of Humanity|Roy Porter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388321686s/340577.jpg|1963028]. If you wanted to actually learn the history of medicine, I'd start with that one instead.
Clocking in at just under 200 pages and spanning over 2000 years, this was not just a highlights reel, it was a greatest hits. There is no discussion of any negative consequences at all, with the exception of a brief extra line for Thalidomide, until the final few pages of ripping into US insurance-based healthcare.
Porter seems to expect the reader to know the names of the key players and institutions, although if you knew them already I'd suspect you'd be looking for something with more depth than this one provides.
Although Porter doesn't reference the book, he does provide further reading for each chapter, and a general bibliography. This is the greatest strength of the book. Unless it is required reading or something you've picked up for a quick read from your library, I'd pass on this book altogether.
Clocking in at just under 200 pages and spanning over 2000 years, this was not just a highlights reel, it was a greatest hits. There is no discussion of any negative consequences at all, with the exception of a brief extra line for Thalidomide, until the final few pages of ripping into US insurance-based healthcare.
Porter seems to expect the reader to know the names of the key players and institutions, although if you knew them already I'd suspect you'd be looking for something with more depth than this one provides.
Although Porter doesn't reference the book, he does provide further reading for each chapter, and a general bibliography. This is the greatest strength of the book. Unless it is required reading or something you've picked up for a quick read from your library, I'd pass on this book altogether.
A pleasure to hang out in the World of the Five Gods, as usual. This one was an excellent combination of the theological elements in the world. Although it would have been nicer to spend some more time with Desdemona, I'm still giving it heart-eyes emojis.
This is my second attempt, and I had the same issues as the first time around.
The Humans of New York vibe didn't work for me. I enjoyed it, but I felt that it was wrong for the story. The first time around, I stopped at the Djinni infodump. It got worse. I felt like Wecker was showing her hand, because only Major Plot characters get a backstory. I honestly felt she could have weaved it all through a little more deftly.
Because, she deftly weaves information throughout the rest of the story, in a delightful way.She tells us obviously the Djinni doesn't need to carry matches. Later, she shows, instead of tells, us why. From 1/3 of the way through, when Things start happening, it is a lovely story. You all know I'm a sucker for religion in a story, and even better they're "real" (as opposed to secondary-world ones). In fact, the biggest disappointment was the end, but I can live with it.
Ok, I can't. Spoilers for literally the last pages:WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A ROMANCE?? UHGH.
The Humans of New York vibe didn't work for me. I enjoyed it, but I felt that it was wrong for the story. The first time around, I stopped at the Djinni infodump. It got worse. I felt like Wecker was showing her hand, because only Major Plot characters get a backstory. I honestly felt she could have weaved it all through a little more deftly.
Because, she deftly weaves information throughout the rest of the story, in a delightful way.
Ok, I can't. Spoilers for literally the last pages:
An easy to read introduction to medieval European history. Certainly not extensive, but provides a clear and basic overview of medieval events, as well as those of late antiquity and early modern Europe to provide some context.
Well all of my GR people have enjoyed this book and I can see why, but the part most people seem to love (slippery people successfully being slippery through an ever-worsening series of events) is the part I found tedious. The rest, the standard - if well written - fantasy fare, I liked just fine.
So, I could probably go on to the rest, but not in a hurry.
So, I could probably go on to the rest, but not in a hurry.
