Vital Organs

Name: Vital Organs
SKU: 57855
Availability: InStock

4.6 | 113 ratings

Price: 20.92

Last update: 08-27-2024

About this item

The remarkable stories of the world's most famous body parts.

Louis XIV's rear end inspired the British National Anthem.

Queen Victoria's armpit led the development of antiseptics.

Robert Jenkin's ear started a war.

All too often, historical figures feel distant and abstract; more myth and legend than real flesh and blood. These stories of bodies and its parts remind us that history's most-loved, and most-hated, were real breathing creatures who inhabited organs and limbs just like us - until they're cut off that is.

Medical historian Dr Suzie Edge investigates over 40 cases of how we've used, abused, dug up, displayed, experimented on, and worshipped body parts, including why Percy Shelley's heart refused to burn; how Yao Niang's toes started a 1000 year long ritual; why a giant's bones are making us rethink medical ethics; and the strange case of Hitler's right testicle.

Lisa Anaya

I’m not sure what I expected…

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024

But I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Being a fan of Dr. Edge’s work on TikTok made reading her book even more of an enjoyable experience. While some of the stories have some disconcertingly direct, even blunt, descriptions of the subject matter, I didn’t find them grossly disturbing. The matter-of-fact and educational writing was interesting and engaging to an extreme for me. Highly recommend reading this book for anyone who is interested in history, science, or true crime in any ratio or combination. “It’s okay, he had a son” included at no extra charge

Another great read from Suzie Edge

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023

I read Suzie's first book and was so happy when this one came out. This book tells interesting stories with humor and wit. If you like history and you enjoy Suzie's social media pages you will enjoy this book.

DDG

Delightful Vital Organs

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023

Vital Organs was a fascinating and informational read. With a humorous tilt and historic details not overlooked it is a definite hit! I never wanted it to end. I enjoyed it as well as the previous book, Mortal Monarchs.

Valerie M. Holley

Fascinating

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024

While not as cohesive as Mortal Monarchs, this was still a fascinating book. Dr. Edge's storytelling brings these famous body parts to life. I love listening to her audiobooks!

Emily

facinating

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023

Excellent storytelling and such a great variety of parts! I’d read 3 more volumes if you wrote them Suzie! Can’t wait for the next book

Aurora

Where was the editor?

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024

Based on the first couple stories, I was expecting a bit more excitement from the ones that followed. But I paid full price for this book, so I kept going. And then the author cited George Washington as leading "Civil War armies", and I was DONE. Look, I get the Brits aren't as invested in who GW was as I am as an American who has spent her adult life living on his and his wife's land. But this is such a basic fact when you're writing a chapter of a nonfiction book about him, that it made me completely lose my trust in the author. I did read a bit beyond this, but I was still so annoyed I had to put it down.

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