Synopsis
The Body In Question
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Review
The Body in Question is a reprint of the 1980 book written by Dr Jonathan Miller to complement his then TV series. As the subject is the history and rationale of man's attitude to his own body, one might expect the book to have dated. After all, few things are more otiose than yesterday's medical knowledge. However, the author's lofty philosophical perspective, and distantly literary approach, ensure the text is as refreshingly different as when first written.
The book falls gracefully into eight sections, each dealing with some major aspect of medicine or anatomy. The first, Natural Shocks, concerns itself with the nervous system, the second section analyses the body's ailments, and diagnoses thereof. And so on. All the sections are liberally wreathed with allusion and anecdote: yes, there's plenty of stuff about the spleen and the pancreas-- there's also the surprising info that Mozart wrote tunes for robot pianos, and that a dog with no gullet will drink until it drops.
Anyone seeking practical medical knowledge should not look here; nor should anyone wanting relevant advice on, say, alternative medicine, or psychiatry: Miller's style and subject range is too pointed, choosy, cerebral. But that's also what makes this book so unique, and therefore engaging. --Sean Thomas
Review
"The book will stand by itself as a tribute to the ingenuity of nature and to those who try to unravel its secrets" (New York Magazine)
"He manages to synthesize physiology, medicine, psychology, philosophy, history and art with astonishing skill, clarity, erudition and wit... the most complex subjects are rendered comprehensible and entertaining... An excellent book which bridges two cultures" (David Mendel Observer)
"[The Body in Question] reveals the range and variety of the author's skills: those of a physician, (especially a neurologist), a comparative anatomist and a philosopher... Among the various allotropes of Jonathan Miller cited above, we must number also the entertainer and the wit: Miller is exceedingly amusing... His text is distinguished by innumerable felicities of thought or expression" (P. B. Medawar Times Literary Supplement)
"A brilliant mixture of medical, metaphorical and philosophical commentary" (Richard Holmes The Times)
"This tour de force has... sheer gusto and kinetic energy" (Guardian)
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The Body In Question [Import] [Paperback] by Miller, Jonathan
Seller: Sklubooks, LLC, Clermont, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. 000-122: Large Thick Paperback with 352 pages. Small name at top of first page, a few light spine reading creases, and tiny edge wear, ow/ a beautiful, square, tight copy with clean, unmarked pages. The book of the Television series with Black and White Paintings, Photographs and Illustrations. A Fantastic Volume! First Paperback Edition, First Printing 1982. Published by PAPERMAC, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited. Seller Inventory # 32719
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Papermac;Body In Question (Papermacs)
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780333329788
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Papermac;Body In Question (Papermacs)
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780333329788
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The Body in Question
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Poor. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. Library sticker on front cover. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,900grams, ISBN:0333329783. Seller Inventory # 9294478
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The Body In Question
Seller: Book Express (NZ), Shannon, New Zealand
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. 352 pages. cover worn end page. Overview of the development of modern biology and modern medicine bas ed on a 13-part BBC television series. Well illustrated. Index. Bibliography. Du. Seller Inventory # 1976l
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The Body In Question
Seller: Book Express (NZ), Shannon, New Zealand
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. 352 pages. Seller Inventory # 2542cr
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The Body in Question
Seller: Book Haven, Wellington, WLG, New Zealand
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. The Body in Question is a reprint of the 1980 book written by Dr Jonathan Miller to complement his then TV series. As the subject is the history and rationale of man's attitude to his own body, one might expect the book to have dated. After all, few things are more otiose than yesterday's medical knowledge. However, the author's lofty philosophical perspective, and distantly literary approach, ensure the text is as refreshingly different as when first written. The book falls gracefully into eight sections, each dealing with some major aspect of medicine or anatomy. The first, Natural Shocks, concerns itself with the nervous system, the second section analyses the body's ailments, and diagnoses thereof. And so on. All the sections are liberally wreathed with allusion and anecdote: yes, there's plenty of stuff about the spleen and the pancreas-- there's also the surprising info that Mozart wrote tunes for robot pianos, and that a dog with no gullet will drink until it drops. Anyone seeking practical medical knowledge should not look here; nor should anyone wanting relevant advice on, say, alternative medicine, or psychiatry: Miller's style and subject range is too pointed, choosy, cerebral. But that's also what makes this book so unique, and therefore engaging. --Sean Thomas. Heavy; Large; Owner's Name inside. 352 pages. Seller Inventory # 1582181
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