The Anatomist: A True Story of Gray's Anatomy

I got to about page 70 in this book before giving up. It was quite informative, just not informative on Henry Gray or Henry Carter. I felt like I was learning more about the author rather than the men behind Gray's Anatomy. Would I tell someone to read this? No. Would I purchase it again? No.

This book was light on Gray since so little was known. But his illustrator was detailed very well. And the book was touchingly written!

I enjoyed most of this very interesting book. I loved how the author weaved his current classes with the past. I just wish he didn't find it necessary to tell personal information.

This is such a fun & fascinating read! The author weaves his research into the lives of Henry Gray and HV Carter with his personal experiences in gross anatomy courses, which he begins as an observer, but evolves into a learned resource for the students. It's a mix of empirical research, anatomical discussion, and personal commentary.

Bill Hayes has a wonderful way of helping science come alive. Have studied Grey's Anatomy, so I was curious. Never paid attention to the fact that a different person was the illustrator. A bit surprising that half the book was about H.V. Carter, but also interesting. Impressive, how hard these men worked!

I was initially put off by the author's needing to tell about himself. Reporting in the first person is one thing, taking about your boyfriend seemed gratuitous and self-conscious. His experiences in the dissection labs, though told in first-person added to the insights he had about history he was trying to tell. Only when I got to the end and realized why the boyfriend was talked about did it make sense Still it seemed he was working hard to celebrate him and that detracted from the read.

Was required to purchase for college and the author came to speak to us after. Not a reader but actually enjoyed this book.

masterpiece.

Gray's Anatomy has been an essential textbook for medical students , doctors and surgeons ever since the first edition woz published back in the middle of the 19th Century .Here's a well-researched account of how it came to be compiled . Not the work of one man - Henry Gray but of 2 . Dr Henry Gray - surgeon + lecturer in Anatomy and Dr Henry Vandyke Carter - artist and illustrator . Also a medical man .Not much is known about Dr Henry Gray - one possible reason becomes apparent at the end of this book. Much more is known about Dr Henry Carter because he kept a day to day diary . An excellent account of the trials + tribulations of his own life as well as an insight into life at a medical school in Victorian London .Interspersed with this truly fascinating account from the past are the authors own reflections + insights into the art + science of dissection . In simple plain language , the interior mystery of the human body is beautifully exposed .If U have ever failed an Anatomy exam , then I urge U to buy this book !Anatomy made easy + interesting !

The author clearly has a deep affection for his subject (s). Namely Henry Gray, Henry V Carter and the study of anatomy. It is a lovely book to read as he charts his way thorough the modern day anatomy studies to the researching of the author & illustrator of this famous book, Gray's Anatomy. I did wonder though if there is a little more history about the actual book itself as it has gone through its various editions. This may be nice to include in any future revisions. I really didn't want to put this down. An enjoyable read from start to finish and one that shall be loaned out and re-read.

I couldn't finish this book. Well researched, reads fluently - but then there are stonking paragraphs where the author starts talking about himself and his own issues in life etc eg coming out as gay. Sorry mate, but I bought this specifically to find out more about Gray.

In my opinion this beatifully written book brings the joy and fascination of dissection and anatomy to life. This should be required pre course reading for any student undertaking the study of anatomy as Bill Hayes enthusiasm will help them deal with an amazing subject that is unfortunately sometimes taught in a dry and unapproachable fashion.It is both enjoyable and well written in an informative and lively style.

I am a physician and went to med school long enough ago that we learned anatomy in great detail and by the hard but fascinating way of detailed dissection. Gray's Anatomy was our bible. I've owned several editions. It is a fascinating book and the illustrations, particularly the old ones, many still in the book, by Henry Carter are superb.This book tells the fascinating stories of the two young Henrys behind "Gray's". What an intriguing story it is indeed. And then it goes beyond that history to tell us about the astonishing life and career of Carter after the book. I had no inkling that he had such a productive career and was so famous for his medical discoveries, yet had such a turbulent and controversial domestic life.All of this is pure gold.Unfortunately ..... and I deeply regret having to put a dark side on this review: this splendid story is weakened by the author's own story of attending anatomy classes and details of his own life. The juxtaposition with the history is inappropriate and distracting. It is a great pity that he chose this way to put his book together.Having said that - if you are interested in Gray's, anatomy in general, medical history - this is the only book I know of that will tell you the fascinating story of the famous anatomy text and the two young men who created it.