Post Mortem: Essays, Historical And Medical by Charles MacLaurin is a fascinating and thought-provoking collection of essays that delve into the intersections of history and medicine. MacLaurin's writing is engaging and informative, providing readers with a wealth of knowledge about the ways in which medical practices have evolved over time and shaped our understanding of the human body.

One of the standout features of the book is MacLaurin's ability to connect the past with the present, drawing parallels between historical medical practices and modern innovations in the field. His insights into the ways in which medical knowledge has been gained and applied throughout the centuries are both enlightening and eye-opening.

The essays in Post Mortem cover a wide range of topics, from the origins of forensic medicine to the history of surgical techniques. MacLaurin's research is meticulous, and his writing is clear and concise, making complex concepts accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Overall, Post Mortem is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of medicine and the ways in which it has shaped the world we live in today. MacLaurin's passion for his subject shines through in every page, making this book a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read.

Book Description:
This 1922 collection of extensive essays comprises well written biographies of a few famous folk. The life narratives include analyses of medical and/or psychological elements in each person’s life. Biographies include Anne Boleyn, Jeanne D’Arc, The Empress Theodora, The Emperor Charles V, Don John Of Austria, Cervantes, Don Quixote , Philip II, Mr. and Mrs. Pepys, Edward Gibbon, Jean Paul Marat, Napoleon I, and Benvenuto Cellini. It concludes with an extended meditation on death. “But there were far more whose actions were clearly the result of their state of health; and some of these who happen to have been leaders at critical epochs I have ventured to study from the point of view of a doctor. This point of view appears to have been strangely neglected by historians and others. If the background against which it shows its heroes and heroines should appear unsentimental and harsh, at least it appears to medical opinion as probably true; and it is our duty to seek Truth.” - Summary by Book Preface and David Wales