Welcome to Litsy!

Advances in weaponry and medicine left WWI soldiers with unprecedented injuries, and those of the face and jaw were particularly horrifying, not just in their devastation but in the public reaction to them. But pioneering doctors leading the field of plastic surgery worked tirelessly to give them their lives back after the horrors of the war. A fascinating read. Honestly with it had been longer and gone even more in depth.

Not exactly the most serene sick reads for someone on day 5 of an upper respiratory infection, but I did get another story from Uranians read yesterday and really enjoyed it. Might start something lighter, too. #WeekendReads

This was so good. The informative and at times gruesome details the author goes into really brings to life what an amazing and inspiring person Harold Gillies was and the lives he transformed with his skill and heart. Have kleenex handy. #nonfictionchallenge2024

First book ✔️ for #DiseaseofTheMonthBookClub
(prompt: Surgical procedures)

This is the story of Harold Gillies, a pioneering physician who worked to rebuild the faces of soldiers who were injured during World War I —and in the process created the foundation for modern-day plastic surgery.

Very good. Follows the story of how one plastic surgeon used his abilities to enable soldiers in the First World War to mend what would have been permanent and debilitating. Even though many of them were still disfigured it wasn't as bad as it could have been without him. ⬇️

History of facial reconstruction surgery on injured soldiers during WWI. These surgical techniques were the beginning of plastic surgery as a medical discipline. Obviously contains many graphic descriptions of wounds, injuries, and surgical procedures, as well as the general horrors of war.

I completed three books during the #joyousjanuary readathon, and got about halfway through the tagged book. I really enjoyed everything I read, so this was a great readathon for me! Reviews coming soon!

4/5

This was a fascinating look at the beginning of plastic surgery and specifically facial reconstruction surgery during World War 1. I really didn't know anything about the medical advances that took place around World War 1, so it was very interesting to learn about the factors that made survivable facial injuries more common, and the innovative work Dr. Gillies did to repair the damage.

Loved learning about Dr. Harold Gillies and soldiers injured in world war 1. Dr. Gillies seemed ahead of his time both scientifically and socially. I thought the book was the perfect length and level of detail for an intro to the subject matter. It was interesting to learn that the founder of plastic surgery was unapologetic and genuine about his passion for the speciality and cared so much about his patients, both reconstructive and cosmetic.

Lindsey Fitzharris delivers again! This time she follows a pioneer of plastic surgery who worked miracles for many veterans of WWI. Fitzharris is a gifted storyteller who shines much-needed light on neglected aspects of the history of medicine. Recommended for reading buffs of war, history, and medicine.