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Genre: Medical History, Humor, Popular Science, Non-fiction
Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

Book Review:
Richard Gordon, best known for his hilarious ''Doctor'' novels, turns his attention to the real-life operating theatre of history in ''Great Medical Disasters.'' The result is a book that is as enlightening as it is darkly amusing. Gordon's premise is brilliant: to chronicle not the victories of medicine, but its most spectacular, often horrifying, failures.

The book is a catalogue of human error, hubris, and sheer bad luck in the name of healing. Readers can expect tales of misguided therapies (like bloodletting for everything), surgical procedures performed before the advent of anesthesia or antiseptics, and public health catastrophes born of ignorance. Gordon narrates these events with a dry, British wit that makes the material palatable without diminishing its gravity. The description of doctors making ''more massively lethal mistakes than generals'' sets the tone perfectly.

What makes the book more than just a collection of gruesome anecdotes is Gordon's own perspective as a doctor. He understands the mindset and the limitations of medicine in different eras, which adds depth to the stories. It’s a sobering reminder of how far medical science has come and a warning against overconfidence.

The humor is definitely of the ''gallows'' variety, so it won't appeal to everyone. However, for those with a strong stomach and an interest in the oddities of history, it's a fascinating and unforgettable read. It’s popular science and medical history told with a unique and entertaining voice.