Banting: A biography

by Michael Bliss

Book Overview

Frederick Banting was thirty-one when he received the Nobel Prize for his part in the discovery of insulin. He was catapulted to instant fame, for which he was neither personally nor professionally... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 077101578X
• ISBN13: 9780771015786
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart.
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful biography about a great man

Sir Frederick Banting has been credited with the discovery of insulin. I purchased this book to find out more about him because my daughter has type I (insulin dependent) diabetes. Michael Bliss has done a great job putting Dr. Banting back in a place of honor. He describes his country upbringing, his determination and charismatic personality, all of which caused him to persevere where others would call it quits. In some cases, this hard-headedness was an Achilles Heel, but the author leaves that up to the reader to decide. One part I especially appreciate is that Banting wanted to match the insulin to the diet, not the other way around. This was so humane for the victims of diabetes, who at that time were kept on a starvation diet of "thrice cooked vegetables" to limit the intake of carbohydrates and prolong life. For anyone interested in the details of what brought about this life saving discovery, I recommend this book highly.

Great study of a Canadian hero

Highly recommeded to anyone searching for a character study of a fascinating, well-rounded man and his triumph over diabetes.