Less one star for the disappointment in the failure to mention of Dr. Charles Drew in the section on blood transfusions and preservation. Dr. Drew transformed the field of blood transfusions and developed large-scale blood banks early in World War II. During World War II, there was a critical need for blood to support the war effort in Europe. The short shelf-life of whole blood led Dr. Drew to develop processes for the separation, preservation and storage of plasma, the liquid component of the blood, from the cells so that it could be shipped and transfused to soldiers on the battlefield. Otherwise, a very intimate and insightful book.