Lobotomist A Maverick Medical Genius And His Tragic Quest To Rid The World Of Mental Illness

Advance Praise for the lobotomist "This captivating book chronicles the life of a man who brought showmanship to science and touched the grey matter of a generation of mentally ill patients. Part genius, part maniac, Freeman changed forever the way we understand the link between mind and brain, and though his procedures are discredited, his biological approach to mental illness is ascendant. No history of modern psychiatry is complete without this story." -Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon "The moment Walter Freeman's gaze lands on an ice pick in his kitchen drawer, you know you're in for a rollicking ride. This is the biography not just of Walter Freeman but of the lobotomy, a procedure as bizarre and tragic and compelling as Freeman himself. Impressively researched and even-handed, El-Hai's book unravels the man inside the monster. A fascinating read." -Mary Roach, author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers "Vividly written and meticulously researched, The Lobotomist is a thoughtful and absorbing biography. With skill and grace, Jack El-Hai lays bare the life and obsessions of one of the most controversial figures in American medical history. A terrific read!" -Dave Isay, award-winning NPR Producer and MacArthur Fellow "Notorious barely begins to describe the lobotomy, one of the most controversial medical procedures ever known. Jack El-Hai makes its rise understandable at last by bringing to life the complicated, all-too-human doctor who built his career on promoting the lobotomy. This is a lucid and thoughtful account of a remarkable chapter in the history of medicine." -T. J. Stiles, author of Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil WarEl-Hai, Jack is the author of 'Lobotomist A Maverick Medical Genius And His Tragic Quest To Rid The World Of Mental Illness', published 2005 under ISBN 9780471232926 and ISBN 0471232920.