The Icepick Surgeon

Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science

  • Language:
    Publisher:
  • English (U.S.)
    Little, Brown
  • Chinese (Simplified)
    United Sky
  • Czech
    Grada
  • Finnish
    Into Kustannus
  • Japanese
    Kashiwasho
  • Korean
    Bookhouse
  • Polish
    JK Wydawnictwo
  • Romanian
    Publica
  • Russian
    Eksmo
  • Slovakian
    Barecz & Conrad Media
  • Spanish
    Planeta
  • Vietnamese
    1980 Books
About The Icepick Surgeon:

From bestselling author Sam Kean, comes this fascinating and thrilling tour of the darker side of sciencefrom the past to the present, and even into the future.

In our society, scientists are the good guys—usually. Every so often one of them goes rogue and ends up on the wrong side of the law. The Icepick Surgeon exposes the crimes that researchers have committed throughout history and examines what pushes these otherwise rational men and women to cross the line in the name of science—like real-life versions of Breaking Bad.

Many of these incidents have been overlooked in the annals of history, despite their sensational nature. Others were splashed across the headlines of every tabloid newspaper in their day but have long since receded into the mists of time. The Icepick Surgeon provides a unique opportunity to resurrect these stories and take a peek at what drove people to break the ultimate taboos in ages past.

The stories range from the dawn of science in the 1600s to the high-tech felonies and misdemeanors of tomorrow, spanning all corners of the globe for the perfect fusion of the thrills of true crime with the most exciting discoveries science has to offer. The Icepick Surgeon combines both the highest aspirations of humankind with our most dastardly deeds to make for a sensational read.


Awards, Nominations, and Distinctions:

Starred ReviewPublishers Weekly

Starred ReviewLibrary Journal


Critical Praise:

"Kean (The Bastard Brigade) delivers a fascinating survey of crimes committed by scientists, all of whom shared the desire to "do science too well, to the exclusion of their humanity"....This engrossing look at crimes often committed by otherwise moral people deserves a wide readership."

Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)


"Kean is a powerful, exciting storyteller who deftly considers ethical questions within an engaging narrative...A lively, compelling addition to the true crime and popular science genres."

Library Journal (Starred Review)


"A series of gripping stories about evil scientific deeds, corrupt rivalries and skulduggery — with real skulls. Kean is a gifted raconteur."

The New York Times


"Written with the flair of a beach thriller and the thoughtfulness of philosophy, the pages explode with a wealth of information and juicy details, all held together with virtuoso storytelling."

The Washington Post


"Entertaining and chilling."

Undark


About the Author(s):

Sam Kean is a writer based in Washington, D.C. His work has appeared in The New York Times MagazineMental FlossSlateThe BelieverAir & SpaceScience, and The New Scientist.


Other Editions:
  • Romanian

  • Slovak


Other Books by Sam Kean:
  • Caesar’s Last Breath

  • The Bastard Brigade

  • The Disappearing Spoon

  • The Disappearing Spoon – Young Readers Edition

  • The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons

  • The Violinist’s Thumb