The Curious History of the Heart: A Cultural and Scientific Journey by Vincent M. Figueredo

Written by For the Novel Lovers on October 22, 2023. Posted in Current News

Book Review

Title: The Curious History of the Heart: A Cultural and Scientific Journey by Vincent M. Figueredo

Genre: Non-Fiction, Science, Medical

Rating: 5 Stars

The introduction of The Curious History of the Heart introduces us to the idea that historically, the heart was the centre of the self and the most important organ in the body. However, as technological and medical advances were made this was switched to the brain. Yet, this doesn’t explain that heart-brain connection and it seems that recently the more historical view on the heart being more important than just a pump to move blood around the body is making a comeback.

Part One primarily looks at the ancient views of the heart and how we can see it change over time with the advancements in medicine and technology. We draw from several different cultures including Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Chinese among others. Many of these cultures shared similar views that the heart was the primary organ in the body and served to control all other functions. In most of these cultures and religions, the heart is also seen as where the soul resides and this persisted in Western thinking for an extremely long time. However, it is through the Greeks and the Romans that we see the change take place from cardiocentric to cerebrocentric. At this point in time, many cultures were still cardiocentric believing that the heart was the most important organ but as the Greeks and later the Romans made advances in medicine and came to have a better understanding of anatomy and physiology this begins to reflect our more modern ideals, the cerebrocentric, that the brain is the centre of everything.

Moving into Part Two, we begin to investigate how the Dark Ages and the Renaissance that following further is switch between heart and brain. Part Two begins to explain the knowledge of the body specifically the heart and how it came to be known. We go through several different major discoveries related to health and the heart and how these remain relevant today. As we enter the Dark Ages in Europe I was surprised to learn that it was Islamic doctors and scientists that continued the advanced in medicine during the time when Church doctrine was in full control. After that we enter the Renaissance period where great thinkers like da Vinci made some extraordinary discoveries like making the most accurate drawings of the great at the time that are beautiful to look at.

Part Three looks at the symbolic uses of the heart in art, literature and music. These symbols we look at started more anatomically correct before becoming the heart symbol we know today. These chapters were rather short but really hammered the point home that the heart rather than the mind is the symbol we use when expressing any type of love or devotion. This section is rounded off by explaining the origins of Valentine’s day and the use of wedding rings in marriage which did contain some useful and interesting pieces of information.

Part Four begins to look at the heart from a scientific perspective discussing it’s functions and how these are carried these out. If you have a basic understanding of biology or anatomy these chapters are very easy to grasp and even for someone that has no prior knowledge it is easy to understand. Learning about the heart was fascinating and the issues that can arise and how they are treated. Despite there being a lot of history and context in this book, the science parts are what drew me in and really interested me throughout the book. The point is also raised throughout that heart issues are the main cause of death today but this can be brought down with some help.

The final part of the book takes us through why heart attacks and other heart issues are the biggest killer in modern times. We also look at ways that these kinds of deaths can be prevented through education, good diet and exercise to name a few. Learning the statistics and the facts behind why heart attacks kill more people than all cancers combined was extremely sad since most cases could have been prevented earlier in life. This was a real eye opener for me and it even discussed how young people and athletes can die of heart issues without even knowing there is something wrong. 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.

Buy it here:

Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk                                amazon.com

Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk                                      amazon.com

Source: Forthenovellovers

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