The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

I enjoyed this book because it gives an in-depth look at cancer from the side of the patient, the oncologist, and the activist. The author breaks each bit down into a story - a story of one scientists struggle, a story of one treatment, a story of one patient - in order to build up a narrative about cancer and its treatment (or lack thereof) overtime.

Although I enjoyed the book, and I feel that I have benefitted from reading it, I did not fly through the story. I had to read it in measured bits. At points, I bored with the text as the author labored over details that weren't interesting enough to me, but perhaps would be to others. But, generally, I appreciated that the medical terminology and approaches were broken down for the reader, so I could follow along.

My advice to folks who don't have time to read the book: Still read the thought experiment of Atossa's treatment over time (pp 463-465). It shows (less poignantly than the stories in the book) that diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of treatment of cancer has changed substantially over the last 2500 years or so for some cancers but not at all for others. Sober indeed.

I am not a medical professional, and I assume that folks with knowledge of cancer may not appreciate this book.