The recent history of cancer and its treatment, The Emperor of All Maladies, is an excellent read for several audiences. Those interested in the history of medicine will not find a more compelling treatment of oncology’s development over the past hundred years. Similarly, for those affected by cancer who would like to better understand the use and history of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatments for cancer, there is no better resource. It is very well written and — astoundingly — makes cellular biology a fascinating read. For these reasons and more, the book won the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction for 2011.
