The Youngest Science: Notes of a Medicine-Watcher (Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Series)

by Lewis Thomas

Paperback, 1995

Status

Available

Collection

Science

Genres

Publication

Penguin Books (1995), Edition: Tenth, 272 pages

Description

From the 1920s when he watched his father, a general practitioner who made housecalls and wrote his prescriptions in Latin, to his days in medical school and beyond, Lewis Thomas saw medicine evolve from an art into a sophisticated science. The Youngest Science is Dr. Thomas's account of his life in the medical profession and an inquiry into what medicine is all about--the youngest science, but one rich in possibility and promise. He chronicles his training in Boston and New York, his war career in the South Pacific, his most impassioned research projects, his work as an administrator in hospitals and medical schools, and even his experiences as a patient. Along the way, Thomas explores the complex relationships between research and practice, between words and meanings, between human error and human accomplishment, More than a magnificent autobiography, The Youngest Science is also a celebration and a warning--about the nature of medicine and about the future life of our planet.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member SylviaC

I expected this to be a collection of essays, like his other books. Instead, it morphed from history of 20th century medicine, to autobiography, to review of his research. Parts of it were very interesting, parts I didn't understand at all. Since it was first published in 1983, the science is

dated, and Dr. Thomas' prediction of the end of cancer before the turn of the century has proven to be unduly optimistic. I liked it well enough, but I prefer his essays.

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LibraryThing member dbsovereign

Thomas makes us realize how much the "practice" of medicine has changed over the years. In recounting many of the amazing breakthroughs, it also becomes apparent how much we take for granted. I imagine that if this book is not already dated, that it will be very soon because medicine is changing so

dramatically.

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LibraryThing member m_mozeleski

A not overly technical book, this still held my interest and gave a nice overview of one man's experience with Medicine, from the founding of the M.D/Ph.D. program to advances in immunology, as well as some general musings about the future of medicine.
Very broad strokes. But accessible for the

layperson. 5/5 for sure.

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LibraryThing member scottjpearson

Lewis Thomas spent his life revolving around various aspects of medicine – apprenticeship, patients, research, administration, being a patient, and writing. In this memoir, he shares tales and insights from all of these experiences in an easy-to-digest and relatable format.

I especially enjoyed

his notes from his time as Dean of Yale’s medical school. Perhaps it’s because I work for an associate dean of medicine now. I appreciate his admonishments not to intervene too much in faculty affairs. If a culture is healthy, trying to change small aspects can only foul the waters.

This book often makes the list of recent physician-writers worth reading. It is well-written and even dives into scientific detail about cellular biology. Thomas even submits some thoughts on political theory: Women should not only run the earth, but in compensation for centuries of disenfranchisement, only women should be allowed to vote (not men)!

Overall, this is a light and witty read with loads of wisdom.

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