Galen, known as the father of anatomy and one of the fathers of medicine, was an imperfect man, yet so influential that his works impacted medicine for the next 13 centuries. He is best known for his anatomical discoveries (particularly in the circulatory and nervous systems), and for considering a patients history as a critical component of a proper diagnosis. It is true that he was severely limited by his times, so today we understand that much of what he knew was flawed, but we can still acknowledge his contributions to the evolving field of medicine. In this well-written and unfiltered biography, we learn all this and much more about Galen. In particular, we are provided with an extensive historical and social framework through which to better understand the man, and so that we may judge him fairly. A highly recommended read for any medical student with a little bit of time on their hands who wishes to know more about how far the field has come.
Rafael Romero, PhD