BODY AND SOUL – A Journey Through the History of Medicine

  • The Austrian Science Book of the Year Award 2026!
  • A lively and engaging look at the history of medicine, from its origins to today.
  • Rights to Lob der langen Liebe were sold to The Netherlands (Nieuw Amsterdam).
  • Rights to Emotionale Gewalt were sold to China (Business Weekly), Korea (Woongjin), Poland (Literatura Inspiruje) and Russia (Alpina).
  • English Sample Translation available.

From antiquity to the present day: For anyone who wants to view the history of medicine from a new perspective.

Since its inception, medicine has continually evolved. Yet today, there are still striking continuities and traditions that stretch back centuries or even millennia. How does the soul influence physical well-being? What does illness mean? How do environment, lifestyle, and diet affect health? Werner Bartens expertly guides us through the history of humanity and medicine, vividly recounting the heroes of medicine, unnamed patients, and remarkable discoveries that have shaped the world – from the theory of the four humors and Da Vinci’s anatomical drawings to Werner Forsmann’s self-administered heart catheter in 1929, from medieval healing spells to the use of AI. 

For those who wish to understand modern medicine, Bartens offers a panorama that reveals the ideas, traditions, and worldviews behind medical practice. It is an enlightening and engaging exploration of the science of humanity, with all its fears, needs, desires, and hopes.

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Rights sold to

Korea - O'Fan House

  • Publisher: Rowohlt Berlin
  • Release: 15.04.2025
  • ISBN: 978-3-7371-0179-0
  • 528 Pages
  • Author: Werner Bartens

Awards

  • 2026: gewonnen - Wissenschaftsbuch des Jahres

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Buchcover von BODY AND SOUL – A Journey Through the History of Medicine: Eine Reise durch die Geschichte der Medizin
Werner Bartens BODY AND SOUL – A Journey Through the History of Medicine
Portrait von Werner Bartens
© Stefan Hobmaier
Werner Bartens

Dr. med. Werner Bartens is the Senior Editor of the science section at Süddeutsche Zeitung . He is one of Germany's most influential health journalists. His books, including Was Paare zusammenhält , Glücksmedizin , and Ärztehasser-Buch , were Spiegel bestsellers. His most recent works are Emotionale Gewalt (2018) and Lob der langen Liebe (2020).