Limits to Medicine: Medical Nemesis, the Expropriation of Health [Paperback]

Ivan Illich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

"The medical establishment has become a major threat to health." This is the opening statement and basic contention of Ivan Illich's searing social critique. In Limits to Medicine Ivan Illich has enlarged on this theme of disabling social services, schools, and transport, which have become, through over-industrialization, harmful to man. In this radical contribution to social thinking Illich decimates the myth of the magic of the medical profession.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714529931
• ISBN-13: 978-0714529936
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ivan Illich and Modern Medicine April 26, 2004

By Marc K. Samet, Ph.D.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This highly referenced text, orginially written in the late 70's, outlines a well presented documentation of why medicine has not positively impacted modern life. Illich argues that iatrogenic illness is far more common than we realize. It's a must read for anyone intersted in the evolution of our views on "disease" and what constitutes health!

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant, well-written book by Illich! May 12, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

In this book, much like Deschooling Society, Illich attacks the issue from all sides. He consistenly provides an excellent argument with examples, statistics, and well-done research. Though this book is not quite as fast-paced as Deschooling Society, it is equally engaging. Illich not only presents the problems in a realistic way, he also presents alternative methods for dealing with the issues he's attacking. This book is well worth the time it takes to read, and although it was written several years ago, the issues addressed in this book are even more prevalent now. Illich is a wonderful writer and this is an incredible book.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars medicine can be toxic in excess July 21, 2008

By Michael J. Jacka

Format:Paperback

Ilyich wrote this a generation-plus ago, yet his messages resonate today. We have depersonalized our lives in so many ways, by bringing the industrial model into realms that were meant for emotion, feeling, and art. The influx of industry-thought into medicine has torn the sensitive heart from many care-givers and patients alike. His text is a bit lengthy and is repetitive in spots, and can be challenged on the facts in others. Overall, his concerns about the choices we have made socially and medically remain valid.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Illich looking behind the medical mask, February 28, 2011

By billy golfus

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Illich is a perceptive man who clearly understands the systemic impact because the medical emperor is not wearing clothes. We all stand in the same awe of "Modern Medicine" as the court collectively appreciated the emperor's new clothes. Illich's thinking is as sharp and precise as a scalpel. When you go to see the doctor, ignore that man behind the curtain.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Remember when Doctors were respectable? December 4, 2012

By sdserf

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

First the bad: I believe that the first edition of this book was written in 1974 and it was revised in 1995. Which makes it old and older news. The book was not rewritten; long sections of notes were added to the bottoms of each page. In some cases; there are more notes than the original draft. This makes it hard to really enjoy the book having to stop and go while you read. An alternative would be to read the original then read all of the notes.

Now the good: This book is probably the first to mention the unspeakable - physician caused illness and death. Doctors kill or injure people by misdiagnosis and by prescribing the wrong medications. This was in 1995; how many drug recalls have we had since then?

To hear news about medical issues that are unbiased by big pharma; I recommend subscribing to Mercola This book does not really go into vaccine damage; probably because it was published about the same time parents were organizing against the DPT vaccination. To learn more about vaccination damage and death; I recommend checking out NVIC.

The book is unique in describing the exalted positions we give to doctors and subordinate our responsibility to them over every phase of life. I have never read this anywhere else. Stand on your own feet people. Take charge of your own health. You are just a number to most of these people and they really don't care about any pain or suffering you might experience.

It is better for the medical establishment for you to be sick. It is better for all concerned if you spend any money you might accumulate on prescription drugs. Do you think that the Cancer Foundation actually wants to find a cure? There are a lot of people making a lot of money in these organizations....

This book does not really go after the big fish; it seems to concentrate more on private practice. The book is lacking in some areas; however, still worth reading. SDSerf Read more ›