Dr Beaumont and the Man with a Hole in His Stomach (Science Discovery Books) [Hardcover]

Sam Epstein (Author), Beryl Epstein (Author), Joseph Scrofani (Drawings)

Book Description

A biography of a curious physician and the unusual patient who enabled him to carry out experiments concerning digestion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 15, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698306805
• ISBN-13: 978-0698306806
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,156,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Chapter in Medical History, November 7, 2011

By 

LME "The Discerning Viewer" (Central CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr Beaumont and the Man with a Hole in His Stomach (Science Discovery Books) (Hardcover)

The things that have happened in the name of science and progress are stranger than fiction. In 1822 a frontiersman suffered a horrendous gun injury which he incredibly survived. From that time he had an opening in his stomach that could be accessed, and was, by a determined Dr. Beaumont. This unique injury made it possible to study digestion by means of various experiments.

The book itself is well-written but not absolutely outstanding from a literary standpoint (4.5 stars). However the story itself is amazing, if not compelling. This book is written for grades 3-6 and as a read-aloud for grades 2-5. I would not attempt it for any younger because of the "yuck factor" surrounding the injury and experiments.

I have given only 4 stars because of the design and artwork in combo with the 4.5 star story. If this book were slightly re-formatted and the artwork revamped, or at least given a better cover illustration (in color)...this book would still have a long life to live. As it is the black and white drawings lack the necessary zip to capture today's sensorily stimulated young readers.