The Facemaker

More about the book

This poignant story chronicles the visionary surgeon who transformed the lives of First World War heroes through groundbreaking plastic surgery. As the war unleashed devastating new weaponry, countless soldiers suffered severe facial injuries, highlighting the stark gap between military technology and medical care. While many survived their wounds, disfigured soldiers often faced societal rejection instead of the honor they deserved. Award-winning historian Lindsey Fitzharris narrates the remarkable journey of Harold Gillies, a pioneering plastic surgeon who committed himself to restoring the identities of a brutalized generation. After witnessing the horrific injuries on the front lines, Gillies returned to Britain to establish one of the first hospitals dedicated to facial reconstruction in Sidcup. There, he assembled a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and artists to help recreate what had been lost. In a society that celebrated soldiers with lost limbs as heroes while stigmatizing those with facial disfigurements, Gillies not only restored faces but also revived spirits. Meticulously researched and grippingly told, this account intertwines Gillies's innovative surgical techniques with the poignant stories of the soldiers he helped, showcasing the powerful intersection of medicine and art, and the extraordinary courage and imagination that emerged amidst relentless horror.