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Shocked: Adventures in Bringing Back the Recently Dead Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Not too long ago, there was no coming back from death. But now, with revolutionary medical advances, death has become just another serious complication.
As a young medical student, Dr. David Casarett was inspired by the story of a two-year-old girl named Michelle Funk. Michelle fell into a creek and was underwater for over an hour. When she was found she wasn’t breathing, and her pupils were fixed and dilated. That drowning should have been fatal. But after three hours of persistent work, a team of doctors and nurses was able to bring her back. It was a miracle.
If Michelle could come back after three hours of being dead, what about twelve hours? Or twenty-four? What would it take to revive someone who had been frozen for one thousand years? And what does blurring the line between life and death mean for society?
In Shocked, Casarett chronicles his exploration of the cutting edge of resuscitation and reveals just how far science has come. He begins in the eighteenth century, when early attempts at resuscitation involved public displays of barrel rolling, horseback riding (sort of), and blowing smoke up the patient’s various orifices. He then takes us inside a sophisticated cryonics facility in the Arizona desert, a dark room full of hibernating lemurs in North Carolina, and a laboratory that puts mice into a state of suspended animation. The result is a spectacular tour of the bizarre world of doctors, engineers, animal biologists, and cryogenics enthusiasts trying to bring the recently dead back to life.
Fascinating, thought-provoking, and (believe it or not) funny, Shocked is perfect for those looking for a prequel—and a sequel—to Mary Roach’s Stiff or for anyone who likes to ponder the ultimate questions of life and death.
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“In this laid-backbook about electroshocking people back to life, hospice doctor Casarettaddresses the ‘financial, ethical, and emotional’ costs of life-savingresuscitation while asking, ‘What happens when we test the boundaries of life?’He wanders amiably through research on death, resuscitation technologies,hibernation, suspended animation, and hypothermia, lingering longer on thepersonalities—and stories—behind studies than on the studies themselves…Casarettaccessibly reveals the work being done that may enable us to sleep far more andso travel far further—in both place and time—than we ever dreamed.”
— Publishers Weekly
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“Shocked is by turns heartbreaking and hilarious. But more than that, it’s an important book that should force an urgent discussion of the hairline border between alive and dead and the incredible ethical (and economic) questions we face as technology redraws that boundary.”
— David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of The Sports Gene -
“From the early days of CPR to the latest science on the cryogenic preservation of human life, Casarett takes us on an entertaining exploration into the void that separates life and death. Shocked is a great read.”
— David Dosa, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Making Rounds with Oscar -
“For most of us, death is irrevocable, except in zombie movies. According to physician David Casarett, however, demise is no long what it used to be. In this fascinating, surprisingly entertaining new book, he explores the new medical science of resurrection. Displaying an often lighthearted tone, he describes how new advances have turned this once fanciful project into a reality. A perfect fit for fans of authors like Mary Roach and Malcolm Gladwell. Editor’s recommendation.”
— Barnes&Noble.com, editorial review -
“Shocked delves into the science of resurrection, looks at current research on resuscitation, and explores future possibilities of prolonging life…Casarett’s inquiry makes for entertaining, informative, and, at times, electrifying reading.”
— Booklist -
“A fascinating, well-written, and gripping book by a leading physician that takes readers through the incredible journey of resuscitation science. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the new medical ‘miracles’ that are helping humankind fight death and preserve life.”
— Sam Parnia, MD, author of Erasing Death -
“If you think the line between life and death is a bright one, think again. In Shocked, end-of-life care expert David Casarett takes us on an informative, provocative, and useful tour of the state of the art in attempting to resuscitate the dead and bring them back to life. This is not the stuff of frozen heads, bright lights at the ends of tunnels, and bodies being cloned. It is a review of the best and sometimes worst of what real medicine has to offer, and there is a no more lively, engaging, and sensible guide.”
— Art Caplan, author of Smart Mice, Not So Smart People -
“Shocked is a compelling and fascinating account of the history, current practice, and hopes for the future of resuscitation. I enjoyed it immensely.”
— Mickey Eisenberg, MD, author of Life in the Balance -
“Dr. Casarett writes from his heart and demystifies the art and science of resuscitation. His humor, poignancy, and intrigue make this book a must-read!”
— Kathy E. Magliato, MD, MBA, FACS, author of Heart Matters
Awards
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A Barnes & Noble Editor’s Recommendation
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An August 2014 Amazon Best Book of the Month in Nonfiction
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About David Casarett
David Casarett, MD, is a physician, researcher, and tenured associate professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His studies have included more than ten thousand patients and have resulted in more than one hundred articles and book chapters, published in such leading medical journals as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine. His many awards include the prestigious US Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
About Walter Dixon
Walter Dixon is a broadcast media veteran of more than twenty years’ experience with a background in theater and performing arts and voice work for commercials. After a career in public radio, he is now a full-time narrator with more than fifty audiobooks recorded in genres ranging from religion and politics to children’s stories.