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  • The Lobotomist

  • A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness
  • By: Jack El-Hai
  • Narrated by: Peter Lerman
  • Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
  • 3.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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The Lobotomist

By: Jack El-Hai
Narrated by: Peter Lerman
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Summary

The Lobotomist explores one of the darkest chapters of American medicine: the desperate attempt to treat the hundreds of thousands of psychiatric patients in need of help during the middle decades of the 20th century. Into this crisis stepped Walter Freeman, MD, who saw a solution in lobotomy, a brain operation intended to reduce the severity of psychotic symptoms. Drawing on Freeman's documents and interviews with Freeman's family, Jack El-Hai takes a penetrating look at the life and work of this complex scientific genius.
©2005 Jack El-Hai (P)2021 Tantor
Medical Science & Technology History & Commentary Psychology History Medical History Medical Memoirs
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Profile Image for Sadie

Far too long

It is an interesting book, however the narrator has a massively annoying voice. The book flits about through one decade then back to another. Although the topic of lobotomy is fascinating, the book could have been half the size. Too much moving around through the years and differing jobs etc. would have been much better if it had been presented in chronological order.

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