Description
Book SynopsisThis book traces the evolution of our understanding of the heart from the dawn of civilization to the present. Vincent M. Figueredo—an accomplished cardiologist and expert on the history of the human heart—explores the role and significance of the heart in art, culture, religion, philosophy, and science across time and place.
Trade ReviewVincent Figueredo helps us to understand the heart as a cultural symbol, biological miracle, and central theme in human history. A tour-de-force of scholarship and storytelling,
The Curious History of the Heart is a great read and an important one. -- Daniel Weiss, president and CEO, Metropolitan Museum of Art
What a wonderful reading experience. This book takes you on a fascinating historical journey of heart; from first being considered the vessel of our soul, to being a simple pump, to perhaps the heart is a bit of both. A must read to stimulate your brain and warm your heart. -- Ted W. Love, president and CEO, Global Blood Therapeutics
As a cardiologist, I know the heart inside and out. However, I learned even more about this amazing organ by reading my colleague’s book. You will, also! -- Thad F. Waites, chairman, Mississippi State Board of Health
For those compelled by the mysteries of the human heart, Vincent Figueredo has written the definitive guide and done so with diligence and panache, teaching us about the heart’s place in history, literature, music and science. Figueredo is a renowned cardiologist, but he’s an equally gifted storyteller.
The Curious History of the Heart is a gem. -- Tom Barbash,
New York Times bestselling author of
On Top of the World and
The Dakota WintersProvocative and broad in scope, this offers much food for thought. * Publishers Weekly *
The Curious History of the Heart tops the nonfiction list in Book Riot's May 2023 round up of exciting titles. * Book Riot newsletter *
The title is accurate: understanding of the heart from early civilization to the present has indeed followed a “curious” path, and the book provides, through its short descriptions of events enabling the current understanding, a lighthearted tour of culture and science interactions through time. Recommended. * Choice Reviews, American Library Association (ALA) *
Overall, The Curious History of the Heart was an educational and entertaining read that blended history with science in ways that kept me engaged throughout the entire book. Highly recommended if you’re interested in history or medicine or both. * For the Novel Lovers blog *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part I: The Ancient Heart1. The Heart Means Life
2. Heart and Soul
3. The Heart and God
4. An Emotional Heart
5. Ancient Understanding of the Physical Heart
6. Ancient Heart Disease
Part II: The Heart Goes Into the Darkness and Comes Out in the Light7. The Dark Ages
8. The Islamic Golden Age
9. The Viking Cold Hjarta
10. American Heart Sacrifice
11. The Heart Renaissance
12. Hither and Thither
Part III: heART13. The Heart in Art
14. The Heart in Literature
15. The Heart in Music
16. Heart Rituals
Part IV: Heart 10117. The Pump
18. Heart Anatomy
19. Heart Sounds
20. The Color of Blood
21. The Heart’s Electrical System
22. What Is an EKG?
23. What Is Blood Pressure?
24. What Is Heart Failure?
25. What Is “Having a Coronary”
26. Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in Heart Disease
27. Sudden Death of an Athlete
28. The Word “Heart”
Part V: The Modern Heart29. Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution
30. The Twentieth Century and Heart Disease
31. Aspirin
32. The Twentieth Century and Heart Surgery
33. The Heart Now
34. Broken Heart Syndrome
35. The Heart-Brain Connection
36. The Future Heart
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Further Reading
Index
