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From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes the gripping, untold history of science's darkest secrets, “a fascinating book [that] deserves a wide audience” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Science is a force for good in the world—at least usually. But sometimes, when obsession gets the better of scientists, they twist a noble pursuit into something sinister. Under this spell, knowledge isn’t everything, it’s the only thing—no matter the cost. Bestselling author Sam Kean tells the true story of what happens when unfettered ambition pushes otherwise rational men and women to cross the line in the name of science, trampling ethical boundaries and often committing crimes in the process.

The Icepick Surgeon masterfully guides the reader across two thousand years of history, beginning with Cleopatra’s dark deeds in ancient Egypt. The book reveals the origins of much of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade of the 1700s, as well as Thomas Edison’s mercenary support of the electric chair and the warped logic of the spies who infiltrated the Manhattan Project. But the sins of science aren’t all safely buried in the past. Many of them, Kean reminds us, still affect us today. We can draw direct lines from the medical abuses of Tuskegee and Nazi Germany to current vaccine hesitancy, and connect icepick lobotomies from the 1950s to the contemporary failings of mental-health care. Kean even takes us into the future, when advanced computers and genetic engineering could unleash whole new ways to do one another wrong.

Unflinching, and exhilarating to the last page, The Icepick Surgeon fuses the drama of scientific discovery with the illicit thrill of a true-crime tale. With his trademark wit and precision, Kean shows that, while science has done more good than harm in the world, rogue scientists do exist, and when we sacrifice morals for progress, we often end up with neither.

Journey into the dark side of scientific discovery with "The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science" by Sam Kean.

Delve into the twisted tales of individuals who have used science as a tool for nefarious purposes. From the chilling story of the icepick surgeon who lobotomized patients without anesthesia to the audacious plot to sabotage a rival's research, Kean exposes the dark underbelly of the scientific world.

Discover the shocking true accounts of scientists who have engaged in fraud, fabricated data, and engaged in unethical experiments, all in the pursuit of recognition and advancement.

With his signature blend of humor and meticulous research, Kean brings to light the often-overlooked darker aspects of scientific history. "The Icepick Surgeon" serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even in the realm of scientific progress, human nature is capable of great evil.

Immerse yourself in this captivating narrative of scientific misconduct, and explore the boundaries between brilliance and madness, ethics and exploitation. "The Icepick Surgeon" will leave you questioning the limits of human ambition and the price of scientific advancement.