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Spare Parts

An Unexpected History of Transplants

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Spare Parts

By: Paul Craddock
Narrated by: Paul Craddock
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

How did an architect help pioneer blood transfusion in the 1660s?
Why did eighteenth-century dentists buy the live teeth of poor children?
And what role did a sausage skin and an enamel bath play in making kidney transplants a reality?

We think of transplant surgery as one of the medical wonders of the modern world. But transplant surgery is as ancient as the pyramids, with a history more surprising than we might expect. Paul Craddock takes us on a journey - from sixteenth-century skin grafting to contemporary stem cell transplants - uncovering stories of operations performed by unexpected people in unexpected places. Bringing together philosophy, science and cultural history, Spare Parts explores how transplant surgery constantly tested the boundaries between human, animal and machine, and continues to do so today.

Witty, entertaining and at times delightfully macabre, Spare Parts shows us that the history - and future - of transplant surgery is tied up with questions about not only who we are, but also what we are, and what we might become. . .

© Paul Craddock 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 History History & Commentary History & Philosophy Medicine & Health Care Industry Science Surgery Witty Medicine

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Critic reviews

A fascinating book
Compelling (Christopher Hart)
The charm of Spare Parts comes from situating these landmarks in a wider history of ideas
A thrilling and often terrifying ride through transplantation and the theories and techniques that made it possible . . . tantalizing (Robert Sullivan)
Anyone interested in the history of surgery will find much to amaze and startle in Paul Craddock's Spare Parts: A Surprising History of Transplants
Excellent . . . Much has been written about this subject, but with Spare Parts Paul Craddock has achieved something unique: a serious, entertaining and thoroughly researched work that usefully sets the history of transplantation in the context of the evolution of ideas about the human body (Thomas Morris)
Craddock combines meticulous scholarship with wry wit in lucid prose which is all the more powerful for being understated . . . Spare Parts is a triumph
I read Spare Parts with my mouth open, my eyes popping and my brain fizzing. It's a fascinating exploration of just how far humans will go to stay on the right side of death. I can't think of any other book whose pages will make you laugh, gasp, grimace and wince. Spare Parts is a triumph of medical story-telling
This is a fascinating and sure-footed exploration of the medical, historical and mythological landscape in which humans use parts from each other to make themselves whole. With compassion and insight, Paul Craddock elucidates vital questions about what it means to be human and to realise our dreams of survival
This is a captivating and absorbing read that surprises on every page whether it be from prosthetic noses of the 16th Century to modern day bio-printing and stem cell technology
All stars
Most relevant
My only experience in this field was A-Level biology dissection but to think what these early pioneers of transplant surgery and, more importantly, their patients went through is mind-boggling. Some of the earliest practitioners were little more than quacks and were completely barking. But without their early endeavours, we'd probably not be where we are today so have a lot to be thankful for.
A thoroughly fascinating and informative read.

Not for the squeamish

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Brilliant and insightful book. Contained lots of fascinating anecdotes. It was well researched and incredibly engaging. Entertaining narrator. Highly recommended.

Bloody marvellous

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As someone with no medical background, I found this book accessible and interesting (and at times harrowing). The problem was the narration - it was too slow and even listening to it on 1.5x speed, it was a struggle.

However, as a book I would certainly recommend it, thanks.

Interesting, but difficult to listen to

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