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Vital Organs

A History of the World's Most Famous Body Parts

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About this listen

 The remarkable stories of the world's most famous body parts.
Louis XIV's rear end inspired the British National Anthem.
Queen Victoria's armpit led the development of antiseptics.
Robert Jenkin's ear started a war.


All too often, historical figures feel distant and abstract; more myth and legend than real flesh and blood. These stories of bodies and its parts remind us that history's most-loved, and most-hated, were real breathing creatures who inhabited organs and limbs just like us - until they're cut off that is.

Medical historian Dr Suzie Edge investigates over 40 cases of how we've used, abused, dug up, displayed, experimented on, and worshipped body parts, including why Percy Shelley's heart refused to burn; how Yao Niang's toes started a 1000 year long ritual; why a giant's bones are making us rethink medical ethics; and the strange case of Hitler's right testicle.©2023 Suzie Edge History History & Commentary History & Philosophy Medicine & Health Care Industry Science

Critic Reviews

...a bracing adventure, and one where our ancestors are not reduced to characters of myth and legend, but real people of flesh and blood. It is through this most intimate dissection that the past is brought so vividly to life.
It's an incisive book (pun intended) that will leave you with a newfound appreciation of the vessel that carries you through life
All stars
Most relevant
I love the matter of fact way that Dr Suzie delivers anatomical and historical information, and the clear warmth, interest and enjoyment she brings to her reading.

Great stories, great delivery

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I couldn’t get enough of the fascinating stories in this book. From the macabre to the very sad, it was an amazing insight into the human body and the sometimes unusual ways we humans treat it. Another brilliant book and it’s great to hear it in the author’s own voice. Highly recommended by me.

Absolutely fascinating.

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Loved the detail and candour. Can’t wait for the next book.just love the stuff I didn’t know

The voice

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I find weird topics interesting so this was right down my alley. It was nicely presented by the author. The stories were interesting and spoke of many different people through the ages...and their organs and sometimes about their whole body.

A story about humans curiosity as much as about stolen organs.

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A fantastic book - Dr Suzie Edge brings both humour and kindness into narrative. Definitely some sections made me a tad squeamish, but they were written with cause and kindness to the patients of the past. absolutely loved it!

Even better than mortal monarchs!

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