A Molecule Away from Madness

Tales of the Hijacked Brain

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Sara Manning Peskin: A Molecule Away from Madness (Paperback, 2023, W. W. Norton & Company)

Paperback, 224 pages

Published Feb. 7, 2023 by W. W. Norton & Company.

ISBN:
978-1-324-05054-4
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5 stars (1 review)

3 editions

Review of 'Molecule Away from Madness' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

As I read A Molecule Away from Madness, it reminded me of my favorite medical narrative writer, Berton Roueché. In fact, it was his book “The Incurable Wound” that I had purchased at my elementary school’s book fair that awakened my interest in medical history.

The author uses a simple formula to introduce the reader to the miscreant molecules that alter the brain chemistry and cause disease. She uses narratives to present the patient the way that he or she was then details how the disease affected this person. Once the patient has a diagnosis, she delves into the history of the scientist(s) who discovered the disease in question and the cure, if any. I was particularly interested in the history of the disease but I also found the patient narratives compelling.

I highly recommend this is a book for anyone with an interest medical history and/or neurology.