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A Matter of Doubt - the novel of Claude Bernard (Paperback)
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A Matter of Doubt - the novel of Claude Bernard (Paperback)
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Loot Price R576
Discovery Miles 5 760
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A MATTER OF DOUBT (P Wise) Description and Back Cover text An
extraordinary man: unlucky in love, inventive, inquisitive and
gifted with words. This is the remarkable story of Claude Bernard,
19th century France's most illustrious medical scientist - told in
the form of a novel. A boy from the Beaujolais, he had dreamed only
of becoming a writer. Reluctantly he becomes a pharmacy apprentice
in Lyon, but irritates everyone by endlessly questioning the
science of his practice - inspired by the philosopher Descartes and
his concept of scientific doubt. A careless accident - plus his
boss's discovery of two plays written in secret - brings his career
to an abrupt halt. One play is however performed in Lyon, and
optimistic Claude travels to Paris, where the eminent drama critic
Girardin decisively condemns his writing. Better study medicine -
he says - research and scientific writing should suit you better In
medical school, Claude again questions everyone; accepts nothing.
His poor examination results prevent him from getting a research
post. Behind the scenes a marriage is 'arranged': the rich dowry
can finance his research projects, many of which turn out to
involve vivisection. His wife Fanny bitterly disapproves, and
promptly becomes active in the mounting anti-vivisectionist
movement. Bernard becomes unpopular with colleagues too, since his
revolutionary discoveries challenge their traditional teachings. On
both fronts his life becomes unbearable, and he develops a
recurrent undiagnosable illness. The persistent Bernard continues
to attack traditional theory and makes many important discoveries:
the mechanism of diabetes, the action of poisons, the functions of
the nervous system - and so much more. Above all, he evolves an
experimental philosophy that will influence countless generations
of scientists. Awards and honours follow. Regular escape back to
the peaceful Beaujolais allows him to recover from illness, to
supervise the vineyard that he had inherited and to explore
similarities of plant and animal life. He also writes a book that
rapidly becomes a best-seller - and will remain a classic: his
dream of being a successful writer finally realised. He separates
from Fanny, and buries himself even deeper in science amid the
trauma of the Franco-Prussian war. A fascinating relationship with
Louis Pasteur - also a vigneron - ends with a hotly-debated theory
of alcoholic fermentation. Finally, he enjoys ten years of bliss
The exotic and talented Marie nurtures his soul, helps with his
writing and offers him her home - and her heart.
General
Imprint: |
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
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Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
December 2011 |
First published: |
December 2011 |
Authors: |
Peter Hermann Wise
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Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 21mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
394 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4663-3989-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Fiction >
General & literary fiction >
Modern fiction
|
LSN: |
1-4663-3989-6 |
Barcode: |
9781466339897 |
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