The Emperor of All Maladies

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Physician, researcher, and award-winning science writer Siddhartha Mukherjee examines cancer with a cellular biologist’s precision, a historian’s perspective, and a biographer’s passion. This work offers a lucid chronicle of a disease that has affected humanity for over five thousand years. The narrative reveals cancer as a testament to human ingenuity, resilience, and perseverance, while also highlighting themes of hubris, paternalism, and misperception. Mukherjee recounts centuries of discoveries, setbacks, and victories through the experiences of his predecessors and peers, who have battled this formidable adversary. Just three decades ago, cancer was thought to be easily defeated in an all-out “war against cancer.” The book unfolds like a literary thriller, with cancer as the central character. From the Persian Queen Atossa, who may have undergone a mastectomy, to the early recipients of radiation and chemotherapy, and Mukherjee’s own leukemia patient, Carla, the narrative focuses on those who have endured rigorous treatments to survive and enhance our understanding of this complex disease. Riveting and urgent, it offers a glimpse into the future of cancer treatments, providing hope and clarity to those seeking to demystify cancer.