Author: Robin Choudhury
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (Apollo imprint), London 2024
ISBN: 9781837931743
Price: £35 (hardback), £24.50 ebook
The beating heart is a painstakingly assembled account of how the heart has been depicted throughout illustrated and written history. In this impressive work, Professor Robin Choudhury, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford; and Consultant Cardiologist to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, takes us through the imagery and understanding of the heart in art, science, medicine and philosophy.
The text is enhanced by plates taken from Ancient Egyptian papyrus through to contemporary graffiti and every imaginable depiction in between. The prose is fast-moving and evocative. Initially felt to be an almost magical vessel, holding the essence of a person, the heart has always held a special place in our worldview. Professor Choudhury has taken great care to ensure this account is as inclusive as possible, drawing on many different cultural sources in each chapter. He notes early on the common reverence for this organ which crosses cultural barriers and persists throughout time, even as scientific understanding of the heart progresses.
There are lessons to be learnt from this book beyond the account of the heart’s history. Although many had studied the heart, most of the breakthroughs in scientific understanding were achieved by just a few individuals, often practicing science just for the sake of learning and understanding, rather than profit or personal gain. It is also fascinating to note how scientific progress was held back for many years by a fear of contradicting established wisdom. These lessons from the past are perhaps more important now in the age of internet opinionists than they have ever been.
This book reminded me of the incredible privilege we are granted as medical professionals; we are entrusted with diagnosing and treating the ailments of other people. The beating heart has given me greater insight than ever before into how great an honour it is to care for our patient’s most vital organ. Highly recommended.
Lina Ficken
Internal Medicine and Cardiology Registrar
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
