About the Book:
The surgeon-as-rock-star mystique seems like it must have come straight out of Hollywood, but the myth had to begin more concretely. A good candidate is Minnesota’s Dr. Walt Lillehei, the hard-working, hard-playing father of open-heart surgery, whose life is told in garish color in King of Hearts by journalist G. Wayne Miller. From his early brilliance, recovery from deadly lymphatic cancer, and dramatic repair of seemingly hopeless heart cases to the disintegration of his career at its peak thanks to an army of personal enemies and conviction on tax evasion counts, his story is consistently surprising and engaging. Fast cars, hard drinking, and plenty of women filled his time when he wasn’t turning lives around with a few strokes of his scalpel, and the reader will find the surgeon’s actions almost unbelievable–rarely endearing, but occasionally saintly. Combining this melodramatic biography with the fascinating story of the struggle for open-heart surgery, considered impossible little more than a generation ago, Miller makes a compelling case that the daring scientist was simply another side of the arrogant, absent-minded playboy. No ordinary biography, King of Hearts is breathless reading–you’ll find yourself surfacing every few chapters to remind yourself its nonfiction. –Rob Lightner

Book Review: ★★★★★★
For those of my readers that are not aware, this site, as well as my family are HUGE supporters of the Congenital Heart Defects Awareness (CHD) programs. Eleven years ago our worlds were turned upside down with the birth of a beautiful little girl, Abby, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Her first open heart surgery occurred when she was only five months old, and a subsequent surgery that took place just a year ago. Our family spent close to a month living in the Primary Children’s Medical Center, where we received a crash course in the world of congenital heart defects, and the amazing surgeons, and medical staff that work so hard to save these little lives. Today, Abby is a healthy and happy little girl who is full of life, love, and an enthusiasm for life which touches everyone around her. But if it had not been for the field of science and the advancements made in the early years of this surgery — this little girl would not be alive today.

February has been named as the Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) awareness month, and the 14th has been identified as national congenital heart defects awareness day. Every year 1 out of every 100 babies are born with some form of congenital heart defect. And this disease kills many children every single year. With every advancement in the field of study and research, we draw one step closer to stopping this tragic disease. However, it cannot be done without making people aware of the dangers that exist. Unfortunately, for many families they don’t learn about these types of defects until, like our family, they are introduced to it through trial by fire.

Which brings me to today’s book review. This book, written by G. Wayne Miller, is a presentation of the early years, the research, and the painstaking developments that went into the advancement of open heart surgery. For those that have had to live through this trauma, you know how difficult it can be to live day to day, as you watch someone suffer with this debilitating condition. This book explores the surgeons who made open heart surgery possible. And this book is an excellent presentation of those heros — the medical personnel, and the families that became the early attempts to advance this amazing field of medicine. Our family, and thousands others like ours will always be grateful for the sacrifices, and commitment these dedicated individuals have shown.

This book also explores the painstaking work that goes into medical research, and the difficulties, and set backs they encountered during the developmental period of this science. Mr. Miller provides an honest and fair look at the challenges that go into medical research, and he presents a great picture of much of the heartbreak that comes with trying to counter act this disease.

This book also provides a look into the many different ideas, and the origins of those procedures that went into making this type of surgery not only possible, but successful over the years. Many of these surgeons were dedicated to a life of improving the plight of children, and their efforts were not in vain. This book also gives an insightful look into the unique personality that goes into being a surgeon that specializes in open heart surgery — particularly in the field of pediatric heart surgery. This is a difficult field, magnified through the age of the victim, as well as the size of the hearts that were involved (both figuratively and literally.)

This is a book I would encourage everyone to read — in an attempt to raise awareness of how dangerous, and sizable the magnitude of the this disease is. For more information about this book, its author, and this topic — be sure to visit the following websites:

Abby’s Perfect Broken Heart (Abby’s story)

Links to Cyber Hearts

G. Wayne Miller Website

When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, The Book Worm’s Library earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog by contributing to giveaways, postage, travel, and attending book industry related events. We appreciate all those that help to support our blog, and have provided links below for the direct links to this book.