A Surgeon and a Maverick

More about the book

Veteran journalists Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman chronicle Magdi Yacoub's extraordinary journey from his early years in Egypt to his illustrious career in Britain, where he revolutionized the treatment of congenital heart disease. With unprecedented access and extensive interviews, the biography details Yacoub's groundbreaking achievements, including performing some of the first heart transplants in Britain and the first heart-lung transplants in Europe. At London's Harefield Hospital, he established the world's leading heart transplant center, helping patients thrive more than thirty-five years later. The narrative also explores advancements in medical techniques and a deeper understanding of the human body. Even in his later years, Yacoub continues to push the boundaries of surgical knowledge and is dedicated to expanding cardiac care in underserved regions, particularly in Africa. His hospital in Aswan is internationally recognized, and a new center is emerging in Cairo. Yacoub's life encapsulates a blend of triumph and tragedy, success and failure, and serves as a captivating exploration of scientific research, medical politics, and ethics at the highest levels.