CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2009 '...you will be hard pressed to put this extraordinary book down.' - The New York Times '(A) spirited, feel-good look at an area of medicine that's making progress.' - Kirkus 'The Edge of Medicine is a revelatory look at the amazing technology that will drive our medical future, from proton beams to mind-reading brain chips. Dr. Hanson is the ideal guide: knowledgeable, thoughtful, and fun.' - Jack El-Hai, author or The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness 'A rare glimpse into the future of medicine, through the eyes of a Renaissance thinker with a remarkable grasp of history and modern science, combined with deep compassion for patients. He sees linkages among vastly different sciences, such as physics, nanotechnology and computer sciences, that others often miss. He envisions a melding of scientific advances in physics and chemistry with those in communications technology, leading to an exciting era of personalized healthcare that seemed impossible only a few years ago. Throughout, he never fails to focus on the human side of healthcare; few could lead us there so elegantly.' - David E. Longnecker, MD, Director at the Association of American Medical Colleges, USA 'A riveting and readable account of the future of technology in health care. Dr. William Hanson makes a convincing case that the ultimate goal of tiny nanomachines and gargantuan proton beam facilities is a medicine that is preventative, efficient, and personalized.' - Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA 'At first glance, this book may seem like a fanciful hybrid of science fiction and health care, but it really is a fascinating read. Pitched at a level that is not too technically demanding, William Hanson examines the biotechnologies that are changing the face of health care in the industrialised world' - Nursing Standard