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Michael Bliss
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The Discovery of Insulin: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition (25TH Anniversary Edition) Kindle Edition

by Michael Bliss (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 116 ratings
When insulin was discovered in the early 1920s, even jaded professionals marveled at how it brought starved, sometimes comatose diabetics back to life. In the twenty-fifth-anniversary edition of a classic, Michael Bliss unearths scientists' memoirs and confidential appraisals of insulin by members of the Nobel Committee. he also resolves a longstanding controversy about scientific collaboration at its most fractious and fascinating: who ultimately deserves credit for the discovery? Bliss's life-and-death saga illuminates one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of medicine.
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  1. Print length
    322 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The University of Chicago Press
  4. Publication date
    February 15, 2013
  5. File size
    10.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Discovery of Insulin deserves a place on the bookshelf alongside such eye-openers as James Watson's The Double Helix."

― Washington Post

"No book before or since, fiction or non-fiction, has affected me as powerfully: I was inspired to enter the specialty of endocrinology and to pursue medical research after reading The Discovery of Insulin. The new edition of this historical masterpiece marking the centenary of insulin’s discovery fleshes out events and personalities through a narrative that remains as stirring and relevant as ever."

-- Robert A. Hegele, Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair, Martha Blackburn Chair in Cardiovascular Research, and Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, Western University

"The definitive history ... well written, highly readable."

― London Review of Books

"This book is the definitive history of the discovery of insulin and readers will be captivated by the determination, exasperation, suffering, and ultimate resurrection of individuals. Alison Li’s foreword offers tremendous insight into the writing and impact of The Discovery of Insulin – incredibly valuable and a pleasure to read!"

-- Shelley McKellar, Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine, Western University

"Scrupulously researched and compellingly readable ... I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in diabetes, medical history, or medical scandal and gossip."

― British Medical Journal

"Beautifully written for both the non-expert and expert, The Discovery of Insulin not only describes the events surrounding that momentous discovery in 1921, but also provides insight into the numerous factors that promote as well as detract from scientific discovery."

-- Patricia Brubaker, Professor, Departments of Physiology and Medicine, University of Toronto

"This book reaches well beyond the story of insulin. It is a timeless chronicle on the pursuit of science, as well as the nature of discoveries and the people who make them."

-- Jeffrey M. Friedman, Marilyn M. Simpson Professor, The Rockefeller University, and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

About the Author

Michael Bliss is University Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, a recipient of the Order of Canada, and an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is the award-winning author of many books, including The Discovery of Insulin, William Osler: A Life in Medicine, and Harvey Cushing: A Life in Surgery.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BK176NW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The University of Chicago Press; 2nd edition (February 15, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 15, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0226058999
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 116 ratings

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Michael Bliss

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
116 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book unforgettable and well-written, with one review describing it as a great account of medical research. The book is particularly valuable for type 1 diabetics, with one customer noting its comprehensive history of insulin availability. They appreciate the storytelling, finding it both fascinating and entertaining.

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18 customers mention "Readability"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an unforgettable and necessary read, with one customer noting it provides a thorough review of medical research.

"...This molecule originated at the dawn of life & is found in viruses, plants, invertebrates & vertebrates." Read more

"...with my daughter many years ago. However, this book gives a thorough review, with an often fascinating history of the people and research related..." Read more

"...on background and the "discovery" very exciting and compelling reading...." Read more

"...Such an important read. It gives insight into history, medical morality and ethics, the problems of research and translating research into large-..." Read more

9 customers mention "Diabetes awareness"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's focus on diabetes awareness, with several noting it is particularly valuable for Type 1 Diabetics. One customer highlights its comprehensive history of insulin availability, while another describes it as an interesting account of the discovery process.

"...review, with an often fascinating history of the people and research related to diabetes, and the various treatments, or lack thereof, available to..." Read more

"This is the ideal book for all those diabetics who are afraid to start insulin, hate their disease or feel that life has unfairly dealt them a bad..." Read more

"The author has provided a most informative and interesting account of the discovery of insulin...." Read more

"...Intriguing how a diabetic life assimilating normalcy& good fortune evolved from different & limited financial & educational resources and in a time..." Read more

7 customers mention "Storytelling"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the storytelling of the book fascinating and entertaining.

"...I found the sections on background and the "discovery" very exciting and compelling reading...." Read more

"...and translating research into large-scale production, and it tells some amazing you-can't-make-this-up stories along the way with colorful characters..." Read more

"Fascinating. Anybody on insulin therapy should read this book to understand the medical miracle that is sustaining them...." Read more

"An amazing tale. Necessary reading for all diabetics...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.

"...It is well written and even with him reading parts of it to me, I can only thank God and research for the job they did. It is an unforgettable read." Read more

"...Man, was I wrong? I found this to be a well-written and well-researched history...." Read more

"Great. Well-written, researched and detailed...." Read more

"Very readable..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • J. Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars The history of insulin
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Diabetes can kill you. The discovery of insulin & its commercialization as a life-saving drug for diabetics are important reading for anyone involved with this important aspect of health care.

    This book was written about 30 years ago so it misses some important points about the evolution of insulin. This molecule originated at the dawn of life & is found in viruses, plants, invertebrates & vertebrates.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, Particularly for Diabetics
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As a type one diabetic (T1D) for over thirty years, I had a general understanding of the background of the discovery of insulin, having seen the Canada Heritage Minute, and even having visited the Banting House Museum in London, Ont. with my daughter many years ago. However, this book gives a thorough review, with an often fascinating history of the people and research related to diabetes, and the various treatments, or lack thereof, available to diabetics. It is a well-blended mix of scientific research and biographical "soap opera" - which gives the reader a full appreciation for the complexities of the discovery. Two things in the conclusion really left me struck, uncomfortably so: one, that the discovery has led to an "era of complications" unknown before because of the low rate of life-expectancy for diabetics, and, two, because diabetes has a strong hereditary component, the discovery has caused a steady increase in the number of T1Ds, because insulin has enabled diabetics to live and to "propagate." Not to be too dark, but it is a chilling and necessary truth.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Rodger Shepherd
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very readable
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    The book can be viewed as having four sections: background, the "discovery", the fallout, and an epilogue. I found the sections on background and the "discovery" very exciting and compelling reading. The sad story of the subsequent bitter fallout over credit for the discovery of insulin is more plodding and painful but necessary reading. The short epilogue follows the significant persons through to their deaths.
    The book brought me some useful closure. In the mid-fifties I actually saw and heard Dr. Best when he was visiting San Francisco and was invited to speak to my class in medical school. At the time I vaguely realized that I was in the presence of someone of importance in medical history. Bliss' book has made me appreciate the opportunity much more.
    By the way, Bliss fails to mention Best's textbook of physiology, a work that was the standard textbook for literally generations of medical student. Best's textbook was coauthored by the N.B. Taylor who is mentioned very briefly on page 91 of Bliss' book.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • J. Amaro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Non-Fiction at Its Best
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    This is the ideal book for all those diabetics who are afraid to start insulin, hate their disease or feel that life has unfairly dealt them a bad hand.

    They should find inspiration in the life of the young Elizabeth Evans Hughes, a child diabetic who survived the years before insulin by adhering to a brutal near-starvation diet for four years, the only effective treatment at the time, and then faithfully took the newly discovered insulin and lived to be 74. Elizabeth got diabetes at 11, before insulin's discovery, and would likely have died within one year were it not for her determination and iron will.

    The story of the equally determined Dr. Banting, insulin's chief discoverer, is just as compelling as are the battles of personality and will that developed among those connected with the discovery and development of insulin.

    Those who live with diabetes or diabetics should find the human stories in this book as inspiring as I did. Michael Bliss the author has managed to place history in the form of a novel.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Diabetic Diva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, Comprehensive. Insightful. Entertaining.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Wow. As a t1 diabetic diagnosed at 7 and now going for a phd in public health, this was illuminating on many levels. As a diabetic, I "knew" how diabetics suffered a miserable death prior to insulin, but I was touched deeply by the hard work of so many great-minded researchers, doctors, and scientists. And learning the names of those who never received proper acknowledgement/recognition for their important contributions. As a researcher, it was amusing (& as a diabetic disappointing) to hear how many contributors were shut out from recognition because of jealousies, grudges & plain ol' politics. The author did an outstanding job of bringing all of the "characters" to life - you feel like a fly on the wall witnessing the shenanigans, frustrations, ideas and euphoria experienced by them.

    I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants the behind the scenes look into (& gossip! behind) the great undertaking that enabled insulin to reach and save the lives of so many diabetics.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Maria7
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, important, and entertaining all at the same time
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    One of my favorite non-fiction books. Such an important read. It gives insight into history, medical morality and ethics, the problems of research and translating research into large-scale production, and it tells some amazing you-can't-make-this-up stories along the way with colorful characters. Someone should make these stories into films. (I know some exist but it's time for some updated ones).
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  • Nightstar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice to have my own copy. Proud to keep it on my shelf.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Glad I do have it. Author obviously do not like Dr. Banting. But still he gave pretty real picture what was at the time in Toronto, how team worked together. I really do not like when every time it is presented that Dr. Banting is co-discover of insulin, together with Dr. Best. Best was just Charlie, student who just past firs year in medical school. And he thought Dr. Banting how to prepare animals? To get his title Dr. Best it took a few many years for Charlie.
    Also there is real rial of McLoid, another co-discover of insulin. He was on vacation at the time when Dr. Banting worked hard in his library. M. Bliss point out that there are very poor records keeping. What no one point out that Dr. Banting often worked alone when Charlie was on leave. Care for animals, no one did this job, and animals were ill after surgery.
    I got greatest respect to DR. Banting upon reading this book. I ordered a few more, Biography Dr. Banting, and I am happy I did.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • G.Shankar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in India on August 25, 2019
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    Good
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  • Martin Senechal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2020
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    Extremely fast to arrive great condition
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  • ActionPotential
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good historical perspective, a bit deceiving on the scientific side.
    Reviewed in Italy on February 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The facts behind the discovery of insulin are well narrated, with special attention to the conflicts between the different discoverers. Thus, the historical account can be considered accurate. On the other hand (and being myself a biologist), the scientific aspects of the story are not very well described. For instance, the fact that the first preparations were so difficult to obtain because insulin is a protein and can be easily degraded remains only in the background.
    I recommend this reading to those interested mainly on the narration of events and on the "gossip" about the "who discovered what".
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  • Dave
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insulin discovery and JJR Macleod.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    For more that half a century Banting and Best were attributed with the discovery of insulin and the role of JJR Macleod a Scotsman, jointly awarded the Nobel Prize with Banting, systematically written out of this important event in history. This book by the Late Michael Bliss, a Canadian Historian, gives renewed perspectives regarding the discovery of insulin together with a balanced account JJR Macleod's contributions. An important book both for the events described and its scholarship.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived quickly. Quality as listed. Would use again ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Arrived quickly. Quality as listed. Would use again.
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