Mere Mortals: Diseases of the famous—diagnosing historical maladies from the present day (Jim Leavsey, ABC Books, $29.95 pb, ISBN 0733314376, November)

The diseases of historical personages hold a fascination even for those without any interest in medicine. We cannot resist speculating on the possible effects of the loss of crucial battles, the demise of dynasties, or the fall of nations. This delicious speculation is well served by Dr Jim Leavesley’s book, which wears its scholarship lightly while solving the medical mysteries of a melange of ‘famous cases’—from pharaohs, mediaeval saints and kings, to artists, popular military heroes and even through to 20th-century politicians. As an entertainment, this book provides quirky thrills: Leavesley’s passion for scientific investigation, his relish for gory (or embarrassing) details, his ironic family-doctor style. More seriously, the cases give a chilling picture of the ignorance, bigotry and veniality of medicine, medicos, governments and societies, from ancient times until almost our own—the wonder is that Elizabeth I, Mozart or the Curies survived, let alone achieved their extraordinary life’s work! This book places in context the extreme will of individuals set against both their society and their personal affliction. In some cases, Leavesley argues, it was the affliction itself that was the shaping genius of the life—see Franklin Roosevelt, for example. Recommended for anyone interested in medicine or social history, or indeed, the science of detection.

Kathy Hope is a former nurse and trade editor who now works in medical communications

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2004, Thorpe-Bowker