WILLIAM HARVEY

Delight, respect, and awe mingle as you read of the brilliantly creative life of William Harvey (1578-1657), described in this book as the trailblazer of scientific medicine and, more specifically, the discoverer of the blood's circulation system, and founder of the science of physiology. From Harvey's education at Cambridge and Padua through his role as physician to King Charles, this fascinating biography moves with a minimum of unnecessary detail. Emphasis is on Harvey's creativity as the world's first medical scientist and his relentless determination to find the solutions to questions that we take for granted today. His use of the experimental method is beautiful in its simplicity and his influence on the development of medicine clearly deserved and unique. The author has, in addition to writing an exceptionally fine biography of a truly great man, achieved a nice blending of social, political, and medical history. For the young adult with an enthusiasm for science in general and medicine in particular. Very highly recommended.