Medical nemesis: the expropriation of health (Limits to Medicine) [Hardcover]

Ivan Illich (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd (1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071452512X
• ISBN-13: 978-0714525129
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,059,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 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. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Limits to Medicine: Medical Nemesis, the Expropriation of Health (Paperback)

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!

15 of 15 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 (Edmonton Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Limits to Medicine: Medical Nemesis, the Expropriation of Health (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.

35 of 40 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

This review is from: Medical nemesis: the expropriation of health (Limits to Medicine) (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.