“The Unseen Body: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy” by Jonathan Reisman, MD

I’ll admit that I first noticed this book because of it’s beautiful cover art but from the first pages, Dr. Reisman’s tongue-in-cheek style truly captivated my attention. “The Unseen Body: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy” by Jonathan Reisman, M.D. is a deeply informative work that defies genre by falling somewhere between medical memoir, anatomy guide and travel journal. The author allows his curiosity to cleverly guide him as he explores other cultures, cities and environments, deepening his understanding of the human body along the way. From diarrhea in India to frostbite in Russia, Reisman seems to observe it all and compile it into his encyclopedic knowledge.

For someone who often sees the medical process at work, I found it incredibly helpful to know the why’s behind some of my observations. For instance: the role mucus plays in the human body; what poop can tell us about how the digestive tract is functioning; why doctors often begin with checking the eyes of an unresponsive person, etc. I also thought Reisman broke down the complexities of the medical establishment with clarity and did not try to deny his own complicity within the broken system. I love bedside stories so I heartily enjoyed his recitation of those that he cared for, all across the world and their myriad of medical complaints.

If you enjoy Caitlin Doughty’s irreverent and matter-of-fact style of writing, this book will likely resonate similarly with you. If you are a hypochondriac, this book may help you to better understand the human body and its mechanisms in an accessible way. If you are a health care professional who has found their initial curiosity about the body waning, this book is sure to reignite your spark for all things anatomy.