More praise for
The Greatest Benefit to Mankind

“Throughout the book, [Roy] Porter presents masterly introductory and concluding summaries of each section in a fluent, often amusing, and sometime irreverent style. The text is enlivened by numerous quotes from lay and medical contemporaries. . . . [The book] will probably find its greatest use as a modern, comprehensive and reliable reference work, a point of entry to the literature and a valuable aid to those teaching the subject.”

—Toby Gelfand, New England Journal of Medicine

“A great work that will be used for a very long time. Highly recommended.”

—Library Journal, starred review

“[A] magisterial chronicle of medical thinking and practice. . . . Written with storytelling flair and erudition, this study will be of interest to laypersons and professionals alike.”

—Publishers Weekly, boxed and starred review

“Learned, lively. . . . [A] fascinating survey of medical theory and practice through the centuries. . . . Thoroughly impressive.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review