A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain
by Sara Manning Peskin

As I read A Molecule Away from Madness, it reminded me of my favorite medical narrative writer, Berton Roueché. In fact, it was his book The Incurable Wound that I had purchased at my elementary school’s book fair that awakened my interest in medical history.

The author uses a simple formula to introduce the reader to the miscreant molecules that alter the brain chemistry and cause disease. She uses narratives to present the patient the way that he or she was then details how the disease affected this person. Once the patient has a diagnosis, she delves into the history of the scientist(s) who discovered the disease in question and the cure, if any. I was particularly interested in the history of the disease but I also found the patient narratives compelling.

I highly recommend this is a book for anyone with an interest medical history and/or neurology.

[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]

5/5 stars