The Icepick Surgeon

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean, "The Icepick Surgeon" delves into the chilling, untold history of science's most sinister moments, revealing what happens when noble pursuits morph into dangerous obsessions. Kean masterfully explores two millennia of human endeavor, demonstrating how unbridled ambition has pushed rational individuals to trample ethical boundaries and commit crimes in the name of scientific progress. The narrative sweeps from Cleopatra's dark deeds and the origins of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade to Thomas Edison's support of the electric chair and the warped logic of Manhattan Project spies. More than just a historical account, the book connects past medical abuses, such as those at Tuskegee and Nazi Germany, to contemporary issues like vaccine hesitancy and failings in mental-health care (e.g., icepick lobotomies). With trademark wit and precision, Kean also casts an eye towards the future, warning of new ethical challenges posed by advanced computing and genetic engineering, ultimately questioning the true cost when morals are sacrificed for progress.