Spare Parts: An Unexpected History of Transplants

I have often been amazed and perplexed at current clinical practice, particularly in surgery, and have often wondered: how did this begin? I remember a statement from practice - "there are those who practice medicine, and there are those who advance it". Cradock walks us through those who advanced it, with an entertaining prose that easily breezes through the history that could have been an albeit simple chronology. From the book, it might be my own projection, but it was both a surprise and slightly not-so one, that ego appears to have both provided an impetus and a solution that saved lives. Nevertheless, the examples he gave of some of the earlier pioneers, and the ridiculous obstructions to them, paint a complex picture, which further our observations and reflections of current clinical practice and the human possibilities that may lie ahead. I look forward to future books, particularly around virology as well as trauma. As a first book, Cradock could well be the Bill Bryson of medical history - thoroughly engaging, informative, and entertaining.

I have never had an interest in this field, my choice of read is far more mainstream, novels or autobiography’s.. However an encounter with Paul when we ended up on a cancelled train and subsequent re route from London to Bradford got us chatting. So this chance brief meet of strangers on a train encouraged me to buy the book as a holiday read.I found the book absolutely fascinating and captivating. Easy to follow and difficult to put down, brilliantly structured through time, an absorbing and eye opening read.

This book is a charismatically stitched together history of transplant surgery with reflections on what makes our physical identity and how we have viewed our body parts over the last 500 years. The incisive exploration of some quite gruesome and yet heroic pioneering surgery was compelling to me. Mental pictures of these early surgeons , their patients (and audiences to the spectacles of surgery) abound in my brain, augmented by great illustrations in the book. A treat to read; thoroughly recommend.

This book offers a solid historical view of the wonderful, sometimes odd things, medicine can do for mankind. I read in in one day and was absolutely fascinated by it. It is not only interesting for medical personal but for anybody who is interested in this topic. A solid read, well written and highly informative. Well done.

Was good but concentrated to much on history and not enough on process

The author takes us on a jolly romp though the history of medicine through the lens of transplantation. This is far outside my area of expertise but very easy to digest, the narrative style has the feel of a relaxed fireside conversation with a good friend, albeit one who you might not invite to a dinner party for fear of what topics might come up.In an engrossing, if occasionally uncomfortable, tour of humanities’ relationship with the corporeal we see that the topic of transplantation is intrinsically tied up with what it is to be human. A subject that permeates all of our written history, but metamorphoses according to the social and scientific backdrop of the age.Certainly, never a dull moment and often thought provoking. Straying into the more shameful aspects of our, not so distant, history of consumer transplants is a reminder that the ethics of transplantation is far from solved and will continue to evolve our understanding alongside our advancing technical prowess as it takes us into territory where we are forced to question everything about what it is to be human.I have particularly enjoyed the little meanders into mythology and literature which pop up from time to time and put things into a broader context before we are smoothly herded back onto the main narrative peppered with dry-witted observations. The phrase “nasal landscape” is one in particular which I hope to have reason to use some day.I thoroughly recommend Spare Parts to anyone with a curious mind and a strong stomach. I am left with only two questions.What topic will Craddock tackle next, and do I own my teeth or are they just resting in my head?

I enjoyed Spare Parts from start to finish. The book is impeccably researched and Paul Craddock has a great writing style. He’s able to explore the serious side of medical history and offer sensitive insights into the human condition, whilst also seeing the funny side in the wrong-headed approaches of the past. This was a completely new subject matter for me, but this book brings it to life with great flair.

I got it as a gift and the idea is really up my street, but the book was a slog to read. It’s never a good sign when you are avoiding finishing a book. If you are thinking of this for someone, I would recommend “The Organ Thieves” or Hamilton’s history of transplants.