Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery (Scribner, 2022)

Saturday, September 24, 2022
11:30 AM
Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

About the book
Drawing on five decades of experience and research, Ira Rutkow traces his profession’s evolution from the earliest evidence of surgical endeavors in the Stone Age; through advancements in ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle East; to the Catholic church’s denunciation of formal surgery during the Middle Ages and the emergence of “barber-surgeons”; and finally into the modern era, with the advent of landmark discoveries such as the ability to control bleeding, the developments of anesthesia and antiseptics, and the first successful kidney transplant in 1954.

About the author
Ira Rutkow is a general surgeon and medical historian. He has authored several works on surgical history and American medicine. Dr. Rutkow received the Fletcher Pratt Literary Award of the Civil War Round Table of New York for his book Bleeding Blue and Gray.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
With the help of our presenting sponsors—Delaware Humanities and The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices I PenFed Realty—as well as our community partners and volunteers, the 2022 History Book Festival was full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction.

Special thanks to Lewes Public Library, for venue and assistance with event promotion; to Browseabout Books in Rehoboth, our official bookseller; and to the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 History Book Festival. Join our authors, interviewers, and other attendees at live events throughout the weekend of September 29, 30, and October 1.