Customer Reviews

Civil War Medicine (Illustrated Living History)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book that could have been improved greatly with the use of a different font. Although there are many interesting facts in this book, the font chosen to present these ideas is very difficult to read and will perhaps discourage older readers.

HORRENDOUSLY UNINTELLIGIBLE FONT used throughout this book, as the previous reviewer mentioned. The FONT is extremely irritating to the eyes after reading just a few pages! WHAT were these publishers thinking? The book is read for INFORMATION and thus, that information should be accessible. As is, this is some editor's, or publisher's, wacky and misguided idea of a quaint, authentic, hand-written "look." The font reminds me of those awful, freebie, handwriting fonts you find on the web. A huge mistake. The information is interesting if you can get past the irritation of reading it. Worth more than this monstrosity of a presentation.

Dr. C. Keith Wilbur has finally done what no other author of the subject has managed. To distill and condense all the massive amount of information out there about medicine of the 19th century; with particular focus on the emergency and long term treatment of soldiers. So many other authors write extensively about the subject as if their work is to be the textbook for university studies. However, I needed only a good dusting in the general basics of Civil War time medicine, not a dust storm. While some authors can expend a full chapter on the set up of a field hospital, Dr. Wilbur takes only a few paragraphs.

Even though this book target audience may be youth, Dr. Wilbur will insert medical technical terms such as tracheotomy, pleurisy, tonsillar abscess, diaphoretics, Trepanation surgery. I have a familiarity with all these terms, except for terpanation; I had to look that one up. It lends authenticity and authority to his work, but youth may need a medical dictionary to follow along in a few places.

The book is part of the Illustrated Living History Series and features simulated hand made drawings of the instruments and reproductions of other Civil War photos. I actually like the drawings over photos for they reveal details that otherwise might not photograph well. In keeping with the "Living History" theme, the text is about a 12 but in a hand-writing font. This made initial reading hard for someone with poor eyesight. I am not completely sure that part of some letters were not missing. The text takes a little getting used to.

If you want a "Cliff Notes" or "Readers Digest" guide to Civil War Medicine, then I would recommend this book.

Exactly what I needed for starting a knowledge needed to be a Civil War medic re-enactor.
Service - Excellent. AMAZON - Way to go there. LT

After looking through the "See Inside" feature I like this book. The font is annoying, but it is like reading the scrawling notes of a doctor in historical handwriting--which is what the author was going for, IMO. It draws the reader into the historical time and profession in a personal way, like reading an old diary.

The charts and drawings are fascinating and informative. Educational. Neat little book. Will purchase and discuss with kids. Makes one appreciate how far the medical profession has come and the valiant (if somewhat misguided) efforts of those that came before us. Could be helpful to those with medical knowledge if one had to work in third-world conditions to gauge likelihood of survival of certain wounds by comparison to historical experience.

I am going to go against all of the reviews I read here on Amazon and on other sites and say I don't think the type is all that bad. Don't let that keep you from reading this book or you will miss some interesting reading.