Diseases, Disorders and Diagnoses of Historical Individuals

Oftentimes, people look at famous individuals and think that such people are exempt from the physical limitations that bind us all as humans. Unfortunately, many times celebrities themselves think this is true. A stark reminder of this is the effects of substance misuse that have claimed the lives of too many young, otherwise healthy, luminaries in the prime of their lives. This book provides a background on each disorder or disease and, in so doing, shows the real humanity of the...
More Description

Oftentimes, people look at famous individuals and think that such people are exempt from the physical limitations that bind us all as humans. Unfortunately, many times celebrities themselves think this is true. A stark reminder of this is the effects of substance misuse that have claimed the lives of too many young, otherwise healthy, luminaries in the prime of their lives. This book provides a background on each disorder or disease and, in so doing, shows the real humanity of the individual. Such is the case with baseball icon Lou Gehrig who was newly diagnosed with ALS, but truthfully believed that he was still the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. Little known facts are provided which enables the reader to feel like the subject has come alive as a real flesh-and-blood person from the pages of a history book. A never before seen letter from General George Patton is presented. In this letter, General Patton describes the author's uncle as "brave." Why did Patton have a near obsession with bravery--both that of his soldiers and himself? Was it because of the fear and humiliation which Patton himself spent a lifetime overcoming as a result of his dyslexia?