Flesh and Blood: a History of My Family in Seven Maladies

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Aug 21, 2017 Pauleen rated information technology actually liked it

This was a fascinating volume and a unique approach to writing a family unit history.

What impressed me almost was the unusual insights he had into family history generally and his in detail. I highlighted many of his quotes for this reason. I suppose as researchers we oftentimes look at the influences of external factors on our families merely somehow this was a footstep beyond the usual.

There were times as the volume progressed that I felt there was merely too much
info in the malady itself just it would especiall

This was a fascinating book and a unique arroyo to writing a family history.

What impressed me most was the unusual insights he had into family history more often than not and his in particular. I highlighted many of his quotes for this reason. I suppose as researchers we often look at the influences of external factors on our families but somehow this was a step across the usual.

At that place were times as the book progressed that I felt there was only too much
info in the malady itself only it would especially appeal to those with a medical/clinical/scientific background.

Strongly recommended for those interested in family history aka genealogy.

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Sep 12, 2017 Joanne rated it it was astonishing

Flesh and Blood: A History of My Family in Seven Maladies, to give it its full championship, is non your average celebrity autobiography. Stephen McGann will be well known to many for his acting roles over the years and nearly recently equally Dr Turner in Call the Midwife. The volume isn't really an autobiography but more a combination of different subjects: part history, part autobiography, function medical references. Stephen McGann has written virtually his McGann ancestors from the time when they left Republic of ireland duri Mankind and Blood: A History of My Family in Seven Maladies, to requite information technology its full title, is not your average celebrity autobiography. Stephen McGann will be well known to many for his acting roles over the years and nigh recently as Dr Turner in Call the Midwife. The book isn't really an autobiography but more than a combination of different subjects: part history, role autobiography, part medical references. Stephen McGann has written near his McGann ancestors from the time when they left Ireland during the Potato Famine, following them through living in desperate poverty in Liverpool, living and fighting in the world wars, right through to his own life and career.

I went to see Stephen McGann at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year every bit, having researched my own family, I was really interested in the sound of the book. My daughter (also a Call the Midwife fan) came too and this was ane of her showtime book festival events. It was honestly one of the best book festival events I've been to. Stephen McGann was then enthusiastic about his subject field and fascinating to listen to. I have to be honest and say I hadn't actually planned to go the volume merely later listening to him talking about the book and reading from it, my daughter and I both agreed that we just had to buy it and go it signed. I call back it'south testimony to how engaging he was that none of the questions from the audience were about his acting career but all were nigh his volume or genealogical enquiry.

This volume grew out of Stephen McGann's research into his family'due south history looking at census and birth/marriage/death records. As anyone who has e'er researched their ain family volition tell you lot, these give simply the bare bones and is the beginning of a very addictive process. There are e'er more than questions than answers when you look at a certificate such as a birth or death record or follow a family through the census. It gives no more than a snapshot of that moment. This book is an attempt to add more detail to the McGann family history. Looking at expiry records in particular from years gone by reveals illnesses which either no longer exist at all or can be treated now. The author has called vii illnesses or maladies which have afflicted his family over the years and used them to look at social history and the history of medicine during these times.

It's a truly fascinating read. Each chapter begins with a medical explanation of the particular malady being looked at such as hunger, trauma or middle bug. Then the author moves on to looking at the history of a generation of his family through a particular record and examines the social problems affecting them at this fourth dimension. Each chapter ends with a more personal testimony, relating the malady to someone in his family unit affected by information technology. For example, an uncle affected by hunger in a prisoner of war campsite, the author's own experience at Hillsborough, his brother in-law'south death at a young age. I was delighted and almost equally excited as the author to read about a connection to the Titanic. Truly, equally he says, genealogical gold! I constitute the history and testimony in the last chapter, looking at his wedlock, the birth of his son and his wife'due south disease very moving indeed. His love and pride for his wife and son come across strongly in this emotional and deeply personal affiliate.

I don't read non-fiction very oftentimes simply thoroughly enjoyed this very well written and arresting book. The author has brought together medical history, genealogical research, social history and personal experience in a fascinating volume which for me was equally much a page-turner as whatsoever thriller.

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January 10, 2018 Joanne rated it it was astonishing

I really enjoyed this volume. My husband bought it me for Christmas as he thought it tied all of my interests together.

Although I wasn't taken with the volume immediately, information technology became clear that there was much to relate to: my ain ancestors would have lived a few streets abroad from McGann'south; my Irish Corking Granddaddy was a marine fireman; and I am also married to a Liverpool television screenwriter, so I began to really savour the personal stories and struggles McGann had recorded.

The book is very mo

I really enjoyed this book. My husband bought information technology me for Christmas as he thought information technology tied all of my interests together.

Although I wasn't taken with the book immediately, information technology became clear that there was much to relate to: my own ancestors would have lived a few streets away from McGann's; my Irish gaelic Great Grandfather was a marine firewoman; and I am also married to a Liverpool television screenwriter, so I began to really relish the personal stories and struggles McGann had recorded.

The book is very moving. I had much to relate to in Stephen and Heidi's experiences of pregnancy and in Stephen's mum's too. In that location is much mutual humanity - every bit well equally astounding survival stories - specially The Titanic and in Heidi'due south boxing with infection. And much to recognise in the old family unit neurosis too.

This book is written from the heart and soul. Afterwards a bleak starting time and struggles along the way, the ending uplifts the reader and makes one value not only 1'south own life, merely the struggle for survival that came before.

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Oct 06, 2017 Polly Allen rated it really liked it

I thought this book would be a gentle read, a scrap similar watching an episode of Telephone call the Midwife (the Television series yous'll know Stephen McGann from - he plays Doctor Turner). I was expecting something that used medicine to lightly innovate different anecdotes from McGann's family unit history. I wasn't prepared for the emotional engagement of Flesh and Blood - this book is truly gripping and beautifully written. McGann has a way with words, and I actually wasn't aware how good a writer he is. He often repea I thought this book would exist a gentle read, a bit like watching an episode of Phone call the Midwife (the Television set series you'll know Stephen McGann from - he plays Doc Turner). I was expecting something that used medicine to lightly introduce different anecdotes from McGann's family history. I wasn't prepared for the emotional date of Flesh and Blood - this book is truly gripping and beautifully written. McGann has a fashion with words, and I really wasn't aware how good a writer he is. He often repeats the more profound phrases and sentences that sum up each of the vii 'maladies' discussed in the book, and this technique binds them closer together.

Each section of the volume is further divided into the medical context and the personal context, then you acquire near the biological side of things and the sociological side of things, as well equally the personal impact on McGann and his ancestors. However, the different sections flow together very well, and it doesn't feel disjointed or clunky. Information technology feels like an intelligent style to communicate a love of genealogy and medical scientific discipline (interestingly, McGann studied Science Communication at Imperial Higher London because of his Call the Midwife role, then he knows his stuff).

In that location are some truly harrowing stories in here. McGann witnessed the Hillsborough tragedy and knew kickoff-hand how damaging and inaccurate the media'due south reporting of the event was. He writes emotively nearly the furnishings of the Potato Famine, the grinding poverty in Liverpool's docks, and the sinking of the Titanic. A later section on his wife'due south castor with death is spooky, as well.

Don't brush this bated as even so another player turning their hands to writing for the sake of it – Flesh and Claret is honestly a joy to read, and you'll be left wishing you could probe so finer into your own family history and the maladies they must have suffered.

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Aug 20, 2017 Kathleen rated it it was amazing

At a medical appointment last week, I was asked what was the cause of death for each of my grandparents. I had only finished McGann'southward book and became enlightened that for each of us, such information tells about a item era, and sometimes class or piece of work, and is in itself a grade of history.
My two grandfathers died in old historic period- one of a hemorrhaged stomach ulcer and one of cancer. Simply I never knew either of my grandmothers: i died when my mother was young, of TB, the health scourge of that period, At a medical engagement last week, I was asked what was the cause of decease for each of my grandparents. I had but finished McGann's book and became enlightened that for each of us, such data tells virtually a particular era, and sometimes grade or work, and is in itself a form of history.
My two grandfathers died in old age- 1 of a hemorrhaged stomach ulcer and one of cancer. But I never knew either of my grandmothers: i died when my mother was young, of TB, the health scourge of that menses, (and "fresh air" did not cure her,) and the other died presently after childbirth, my begetter her only child,in a way that is much less common now with modern medicine, peculiarly antibiotics and claret transfusions. Their early deaths made an enormous divergence to each of the families they left behind- nevertheless neither was specially uncommon.
I institute "Flesh and Blood" a beautifully written interplay of medical information- death, in Liverpool, of marasmus, which I now know is malnutrition/ starvation, for example- and the story of the McGann family, refugees from the Irish gaelic irish potato famine, and the continuation and struggle of the survivors in each generation. Wider too, here is the story of the final 150 years of medical progress and the availability of education and the welfare state as well equally the NHS. What a different world we have inherited.
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Jul 24, 2020 Alarie rated it it was amazing

If this were a musical performance, nosotros'd call information technology a mashup: a little of this, a niggling of that. It's largely family unit memoir, that is, not fifty-fifty half focused on just the writer's life. McGann includes six generations and what diseases or afflictions caused most of their misery and deaths: hunger, pestilence, exposure, trauma, breathlessness, heart problems, and necrosis. We too learn how cultural history, war, health care, sanitation, class, sexual activity, and public schooling have always played a big role i If this were a musical performance, we'd call it a mashup: a little of this, a piffling of that. It'south largely family memoir, that is, not even half focused on merely the author's life. McGann includes six generations and what diseases or afflictions caused nigh of their misery and deaths: hunger, pestilence, exposure, trauma, breathlessness, center bug, and necrosis. We also larn how cultural history, state of war, health intendance, sanitation, class, sex, and public schooling have e'er played a large office in whether our personal lives are largely happy or depressed. Frankly, it sounds like it might be a big mess, but instead, like musical mashups, the contrasts every bit well as the multifariousness in writing styles McGann uses make it wonderful reading. It'south full of surprises and vastly more interesting than the tell all, name-dropping memoirs of most celebrities.

In fact, the name Stephen McGann meant zilch to me, even though I've watched him play Dr. Turner in Call the Midwife for years. Probably a lot more people in the United kingdom recognize the name equally one of the four McGann brothers who became professional actors and singers. That was a surprise to me. I besides didn't know that he's been married for thirty years to the author of the tv scripts, Heidi Thomas. He doesn't put on airs, just instead honors the poor immigrants who migrated from Ireland to Liverpool during the spud dearth. He knows how fortunate he is to take come so far from the lives they lived. He doesn't fifty-fifty mention much of his life in the past 20 years except in the Epilogue. This wasn't, "Look at me, the famous actor."

Since I love learning more most medicine and genealogy, I was captivated in the starting time few pages. McGann does a good job as a articulate technical author, explaining how diverse diseases or hardships affect our bodies, but he also brings a lot of warmth and tenderness when he describes his close family. He even becomes poetic at times, and he made me cry at least twice. It is a down-to-earth await at what information technology means to exist human. Although he is talking mostly nigh poor to lower-middle course people, he shows that you don't take to be a Kennedy or Windsor to current of air upwardly in history books or the news. But I'll leave those surprises for you to discover.

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Ironically, that which sometimes weakens this work, at other times makes it stronger! A very original have on doing family history, and McGann'southward thoughtful lyricism immediately confirms his Irish roots - sometimes in a longwinded manner, but his passion for the subjects is deep. Instead of trying to provide a chronological retelling of his family story, McGann uses seven medical/health bug that have dominated human life, especially that of his ain genealogy, to provide entries into an understand Ironically, that which sometimes weakens this work, at other times makes it stronger! A very original take on doing family history, and McGann's thoughtful lyricism immediately confirms his Irish roots - sometimes in a longwinded fashion, merely his passion for the subjects is deep. Instead of trying to provide a chronological retelling of his family story, McGann uses 7 medical/health bug that have dominated human life, especially that of his own genealogy, to provide entries into an understanding of his own family history inside the broader context of Anglo-Irish social history. That personal element is particularly poignant and lends an extra dimension of interest and depth to what tin hands become a dry collection of facts and figures. Which is his whole indicate, that family is more than an aggregation of documents. ...more

This alternate take on a genealogical autobiography is beautifully written through the experiences of seven medical maladies. Showing each one through both its literal medical meaning as well equally the symbolic hidden significant that is often overlooked. Thought-provoking is an understatement in this context, instead, it establishes the deep hardship of our ancestors and the difference of reality they faced. From the collapse of the tater ingather in Republic of ireland leading to the dearth in Liverpool to the expe This alternate take on a genealogical autobiography is beautifully written through the experiences of seven medical maladies. Showing each one through both its literal medical meaning also every bit the symbolic hidden significant that is often disregarded. Idea-provoking is an understatement in this context, instead, it establishes the deep hardship of our ancestors and the departure of reality they faced. From the collapse of the tater crop in Ireland leading to the famine in Liverpool to the experiences of love through heartache. Creating a personal relationship with those we have never, however, realising our ancestors lived similar lives. Exploring a family history through their own personal stories rather than just a proper noun on a piece of newspaper, often claiming nosotros are a drama, not an inscription. Inferring that these vii mutual maladies tin can shape a family unit and each case discovered shows evolution in our history rather than a premature ending or the breaking. 5/5 ...more

Flesh and Blood is a memoir written every bit drama, and the drama is a rich mix of deprivation, tragedy, mystery, skulduggery, high risk and even heroism. You don't often need to be wary of 'spoilers' in reviewing a memoir, just McGann's ancestors bore witness to some of the great tragedies and horrors of the 19th and 20th centuries. He chronicles their progress from destitute Irish gaelic immigrants, fleeing the potato famine, through decades of poverty and squalor in Liverpool'due south slums, to a slow elevat Flesh and Blood is a memoir written as drama, and the drama is a rich mix of deprivation, tragedy, mystery, skulduggery, high run a risk and even heroism. You don't often demand to be wary of 'spoilers' in reviewing a memoir, but McGann's ancestors bore witness to some of the great tragedies and horrors of the 19th and 20th centuries. He chronicles their progress from destitute Irish immigrants, fleeing the spud famine, through decades of poverty and squalor in Liverpool'due south slums, to a slow summit from illiteracy, starvation, and disease to teaching and affluence with surprises and shocks aplenty.

Full review on my website.

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What an fantabulous hybrid of science, history, and family memoir. McGann does a cracking chore of demonstrating what happens when science and social services (like the NHS) are given their due, and how that can touch on a family's wellness and position in life over the decades. As well, I didn't know that he and his brother Paul were actually Present during the Hillsborough tragedy, which wow — what a terrible thing to have experienced. Between that story and several other interesting wings of his family unit his What an first-class hybrid of science, history, and family memoir. McGann does a great job of demonstrating what happens when science and social services (like the NHS) are given their due, and how that can affect a family'southward health and position in life over the decades. As well, I didn't know that he and his brother Paul were actually Present during the Hillsborough tragedy, which wow — what a terrible thing to accept experienced. Betwixt that story and several other interesting wings of his family history, plus the care he puts into the residuum, it's a bully volume. ...more

Sep 26, 2017 Julia rated information technology it was amazing

This book was fascinating and moving. The medical, historical and personal data in each chapter worked well, giving the reader insight and understanding. I found it especially moving every bit I grew up in Liverpool at the same time as the writer and his brothers and sister and so much of the attitudes of his family members and their experiences resonated with my own memories of the time. I finished the final affiliate while cooking as I only couldn't put it downwardly! This book was fascinating and moving. The medical, historical and personal information in each chapter worked well, giving the reader insight and agreement. I found it particularly moving as I grew up in Liverpool at the same time as the author and his brothers and sister and then much of the attitudes of his family members and their experiences resonated with my own memories of the time. I finished the final chapter while cooking equally I just couldn't put it down! ...more

Oct x, 2017 Jane Scott rated it actually liked it

Actually interesting and unusual way of writing a family history. Each chapter begins with a detailed description of a detail malady and goes on to explicate information technology's effect on a family fellow member. Outset with hunger, as his ancestors are forced to leave the w of Ireland during the famine, the family history takes united states of america to the slums of Liverpool, the Titanic, through 2 earth wars upwardly to the present twenty-four hour period. Really fascinating read. Really interesting and unusual way of writing a family history. Each chapter begins with a detailed description of a item malady and goes on to explain it's effect on a family member. Get-go with hunger, as his ancestors are forced to get out the west of Ireland during the famine, the family history takes us to the slums of Liverpool, the Titanic, through two world wars up to the present day. Really fascinating read. ...more

This was utterly fantastic, I was literally taking notes as I read it. And in my head it was read by the author since I'm coincidentally also a huge Telephone call the Midwife fan (not why I read information technology! genealogy for life!!) This was utterly fantastic, I was literally taking notes as I read information technology. And in my head information technology was read by the author since I'thousand coincidentally as well a huge Phone call the Midwife fan (non why I read it! genealogy for life!!) ...more than

This not a ordinary motorcar biog but medical & historical trip through McGann past but also what happened in this period from potato blight in Ireland & how information technology existed to why Uncle Billy hated Japanese .
This not dull bio of bosts but true filth history

A actually interesting mode to present family history! I could hear Stephen telling his story in his actors guise of Dr Turner from Midwife.

Oct 04, 2017 Debra Biggs rated it it was amazing

Found this in my local library. Would not have thought to buy information technology but couldn't put it down. Part autobiography, office social history, office medical history and part showbiz.
Actually glad I found information technology. Actually well researched and written. Found this in my local library. Would not have thought to buy it but couldn't put it downwardly. Role autobiography, office social history, part medical history and role showbiz.
Really glad I constitute it. Really well researched and written. ...more

Apr 28, 2018 Carla rated it it was amazing

This volume covers the history of the McGann family told through the illnesses and afflictions of some members of the family tree, a very novel approach. I listened on Aural which enhanced the feel as Stephen's vox is and then eloquent and expressive. The stories themselves are very poignant and on occasion brought me to tears, every bit the emotion in Stephen's voice was obvious.
A nifty book, especially for anyone interested in family history. This volume covers the history of the McGann family unit told through the illnesses and afflictions of some members of the family unit tree, a very novel approach. I listened on Aural which enhanced the experience equally Stephen's voice is so eloquent and expressive. The stories themselves are very poignant and on occasion brought me to tears, as the emotion in Stephen's phonation was obvious.
A great book, especially for anyone interested in family history. ...more

A fascinating story of an Irish gaelic family and their history from the mid-nineteenth century on, using wellness conditions that afflicted them to provide a skeleton on which to hang the details of their lives, this is written by the genealogist of the family (every family has one!), histrion Stephen McGann.
Stephen is the youngest of four surviving brothers, all of whom have become actors. While this is interesting, it is non the only focus of the story. Nor, to be honest, are the health conditions, thoug A fascinating story of an Irish family and their history from the mid-nineteenth century on, using health conditions that affected them to provide a skeleton on which to hang the details of their lives, this is written by the genealogist of the family (every family has one!), actor Stephen McGann.
Stephen is the youngest of four surviving brothers, all of whom have get actors. While this is interesting, it is non the merely focus of the story. Nor, to be honest, are the health weather, though they do have a bearing on events in the family'southward history, some more than others.
I was fascinated to realise just how Irish Liverpool was, and to a degree still is: this might well explain role of the reason my sister's DNA came up as 50% Irish, despite our non having whatsoever known Irish ancestors, as we do accept ancestors from Liverpool.
I was impressed with the degree to which education was the star of the show, and what a difference access to educational activity made to working class families. Stephen'due south parents were both very vivid, but circumstances rendered them unable to take full (or in his male parent's case any) advantage of scholarships to grammar schools. This frustration made them determined to allow their children to take advantage of the opportunities they wished they had had, for which their children are undoubtedly thankful to this mean solar day.
It'south interesting that all of the boys ended up with theatrical careers: information technology's such a stressful uncertain way of earning a living, possibly lucrative when you are in work (though not ever and probably non when you are starting out), only rather nail-biting when you lot are non! ...more

Entire audio version narrated by Stephen McGann himself.

Having a postgraduate degree in medical humanities, and playing a doc in Call the Midwife, McGann is uniquely placed to write a cross between an autobiography and a family history. It's an ingenious concept and beautifully written. Stephen has an amazing vocalisation, and narrating his own story, with his storytelling skills honed by his prestigious acting career, makes information technology one of the most special audio books I have experienced. I was too f

Unabridged audio version narrated by Stephen McGann himself.

Having a postgraduate degree in medical humanities, and playing a physician in Call the Midwife, McGann is uniquely placed to write a cross between an autobiography and a family unit history. It's an ingenious concept and beautifully written. Stephen has an astonishing voice, and narrating his own story, with his storytelling skills honed by his prestigious acting career, makes it 1 of the most special audio books I have experienced. I was besides fortunate enough to meet him at a book signing. And he is just as warm, funny, engaging and 18-carat in existent life. If I had not met him, I would have labelled the sentimental, reflective parts of the book self indulgent and criticised them for being unnecessary. But information technology's just him. And I'g delighted the publishers haven't tried to suppress that.

My one badgerer and criticism which stops it existence a 5 star read is the lack of supporting testify and references for the statements he makes near history. He'south clearly done his research, so why not provide a bibliography or further reading for each chapter, and so those who are interested can follow up about the potato famine, exposure and even Hillsborough. A simple nod towards his medical humanities academic career would have lifted this book beyond an autobiography by a tv star and turned it into an invaluable resource and starting point for many with similar interests.

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This was an interesting accept on family history, telling not necessarily the whole tale just focusing instead on specific maladies and the family members they afflicted.

For the virtually part I enjoyed it. Each section starts with a cursory clarification of the medicine earlier going on to draw how these affected the McGann family. Some sections were more engaging than others but there is no incertitude the McGanns were an interesting agglomeration - Irish immigrants, Titanic survivors, PoWs through to the four acting

This was an interesting have on family history, telling not necessarily the whole tale but focusing instead on specific maladies and the family members they affected.

For the most part I enjoyed it. Each section starts with a brief clarification of the medicine before going on to depict how these afflicted the McGann family. Some sections were more engaging than others just there is no doubt the McGanns were an interesting bunch - Irish immigrants, Titanic survivors, PoWs through to the four acting brothers.

It actually shone at the stop though, when information technology started reading like more of a traditional memoir. From McGann's ain breathing bug to his wife's maladies, the personal bear upon made such a departure to my engagement.

McGann is quite the engaging writer as well. Turns out he has a Masters in Scientific discipline Communication and it makes a difference in what could take otherwise been rather dry out sections of medical speak. He also writes quite movingly, particularly most his wife's disease, and with bang-up affection and respect towards his family unit.

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I actually wanted to like this book. The premise is intriguing, and parts of it are very well written, only the medical introductions to each chapter read like undergraduate essays copied and pasted from Wikipedia articles. They jump all over the place and I wondered if he was trying to stretch the word count to become the book upwards to a publishable length. Some sections are patronising to the reader, and as others accept said, the floweriness of the linguistic communication is a bit cringe making. Forcing a structure on I really wanted to similar this book. The premise is intriguing, and parts of it are very well written, but the medical introductions to each chapter read like undergraduate essays copied and pasted from Wikipedia articles. They jump all over the identify and I wondered if he was trying to stretch the word count to go the book upwardly to a publishable length. Some sections are patronising to the reader, and every bit others accept said, the floweriness of the linguistic communication is a fleck cringe making. Forcing a structure on the chapters lost the flow of the stories for me - I accept an anecdote involving a particular affliction, then how tin can I make the first section fit what'southward coming later? I would have enjoyed information technology more if information technology'd been edited down to nearly half the length. To end on a positive note, the personal stories of his family members made for compelling reading and he did a nice job working them into the historical settings. ...more

Flesh & Blood - A History of My Family unit in vii Maladies takes a historical wait at the McGann family. He starts with an epitaph, of an ancestor in the local church, goes on to dig the publicly available data and ponders about the origin of the Surname, was it Mac Cana clan or tribe?, probably.
The dead are the skeleton, but to comprehend them in Flesh and Blood comes from the narrators imagination, a perfectly apt championship.
So, who were the McGanns??
People who decided to endure the harsh reality of the Flesh & Claret - A History of My Family in 7 Maladies takes a historical look at the McGann family. He starts with an epitaph, of an ancestor in the local church, goes on to dig the publicly bachelor information and ponders nigh the origin of the Surname, was it Mac Cana clan or tribe?, probably.
The dead are the skeleton, but to cover them in Flesh and Blood comes from the narrators imagination, a perfectly apt championship.
Then, who were the McGanns??
People who decided to suffer the harsh reality of the Irish Famine, moved to Liverpool, went to USA( that is why they sailed to Liverpool in the outset place), came back to Liverpool, and gave the English theater great actors, iv brothers all of whom are into theater.
The author felt that the Irish gaelic Dearth deserved more, and shot the show "The Hanging Gale" on the topic. This closed the loop, from a few McGanns leaving Ireland due to the Dearth, their descendants coming back to give the famine their due.

The book would serve more than as Family unit History for McGann's descendants, a well researched volume.

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October 09, 2017 Trish rated it it was amazing

A fascinating and original volume. Flesh and Blood is a family history / autobiography only with the focus on the maladies that afflicted the family. Each chapter starts with a 'science bit' then goes on to depict the life of a family member and how this malady affected them. It continues chronologically and has a useful family tree on the very back cover; what a brilliant thought. I recollect there's an error in it though as Stephen'due south wife's brother David is shown equally living while his death is described A fascinating and original volume. Flesh and Blood is a family history / autobiography but with the focus on the maladies that afflicted the family unit. Each affiliate starts with a 'scientific discipline chip' and so goes on to describe the life of a family unit member and how this malady affected them. It continues chronologically and has a useful family tree on the very back cover; what a bright idea. I recall at that place's an mistake in it though every bit Stephen'southward wife's blood brother David is shown as living while his decease is described in the book. It helps that family members experienced such tragedies equally the Titanic and Hillsborough, though helps isn't quite the correct give-and-take. And it does help that we know him and his brothers through their acting piece of work. Well written and gripping. ...more than

This book was recommended at the start of my public health studies in Liverpool! It's been on my shelf for a while, and I'g glad I got round to it. It provides an interesting business relationship of medical conditions from the 19th century, besides as some of Liverpool's less glamorous history.

McGann narrates the story of his Irish-Liverpudlian ancestors using wellness as the chief "antagonist". Each affiliate is based on a broad medical problem, or malady, such as pestilence, trauma and necrosis. Every bit someone who

This volume was recommended at the first of my public health studies in Liverpool! Information technology'southward been on my shelf for a while, and I'm glad I got round to it. Information technology provides an interesting business relationship of medical conditions from the 19th century, likewise as some of Liverpool's less glamorous history.

McGann narrates the story of his Irish-Liverpudlian ancestors using wellness every bit the chief "antagonist". Each affiliate is based on a broad medical trouble, or malady, such as pestilence, trauma and necrosis. As someone who likes gory historical medical details, some of these were quite good! Merely it did become a little dry out and info heavy in places. The family stories were lovely and some of them fifty-fifty brought me to tears (maxim good day to the lost twins.. oh my...).

I wouldn't say information technology was a particularly heady or gripping book, but it is a lovely memoir for both his past and hereafter generations.

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A truly fascinating read. Flesh and Blood is the story of the McGann family as told through 7 maladies – diseases, wounds or ailments that have affected Steve's relatives over the last century and a half. Each chapter begins with a medical caption of the item malady being looked at. Then the author moves on to looking at the history of a generation of his family through a item tape and examines the social problems touch on

Purchase Flesh and Blood hither for just $12!

A truly fascinating read. Mankind and Blood is the story of the McGann family unit as told through seven maladies – diseases, wounds or ailments that have afflicted Steve'due south relatives over the last century and a half. Each chapter begins with a medical explanation of the detail malady existence looked at. Then the author moves on to looking at the history of a generation of his family unit through a particular tape and examines the social problems affecting them at this fourth dimension.

Paul - The Book Grocer

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Jan 23, 2021 John rated it it was amazing

Being from Liverpool myself, this book was of special interest, but it's an first-class read for everyone. Stephen tells his family's history with passion and from deep research. He is a champion of the National Wellness Service (NHS) which I, too, grew up with - incidentally, a happy one-time patient of the first-class Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which is the focus of a sorry chapter due to a shameful aberration. Anyone who enjoys the wonderful TV series Telephone call THe Midwife should enjoy this book too. He Being from Liverpool myself, this book was of special interest, merely it's an first-class read for everyone. Stephen tells his family unit's history with passion and from deep research. He is a champion of the National Health Service (NHS) which I, besides, grew up with - incidentally, a happy former patient of the excellent Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which is the focus of a lamentable chapter due to a shameful abnormality. Anyone who enjoys the wonderful TV series Call THe Midwife should relish this book as well. He and his married woman are the force behind the show, and this book lets you see where he is coming from. A story of rags to riches, despite the odds. Inspiring. ...more

December 05, 2017 PrettyFlamingo rated information technology really liked information technology

A brilliantly well written book with an unusual arroyo to genealogy. He has just covered five generations although this is necessary to examine the illnesses and complexities in sufficient item. A fantastic insight into the flesh on the bones of family history in very well researched item. Each chapter is set up in context and covers some very sensitive and touching problems. The only negative betoken I have is that in some places there was a touch also much sentimentality. I enjoyed reading about A brilliantly well written book with an unusual approach to genealogy. He has only covered 5 generations although this is necessary to examine the illnesses and complexities in sufficient detail. A fantastic insight into the flesh on the basic of family history in very well researched particular. Each chapter is set in context and covers some very sensitive and touching issues. The merely negative bespeak I have is that in some places in that location was a touch likewise much sentimentality. I enjoyed reading about his mum Clare - she seems to be an immensely strong woman. 4.75. ...more than

I was fatigued to this book considering I have an involvement in family history and I enjoyed this aspect of the book. Stephen McGann'southward research into his family history revealed how varied family unit history tin exist. From Irish emigrants fleeing the Tater famine to a relation who survived the Titanic, the stories were interesting and well told. The uncle (through marriage) who survived a Japanese POW camp was a tougher story to listen to but shows how ordinary people accept gone through extraordinarily th I was drawn to this book because I have an interest in family history and I enjoyed this aspect of the book. Stephen McGann's research into his family unit history revealed how varied family unit history can be. From Irish emigrants fleeing the Irish potato famine to a relation who survived the Titanic, the stories were interesting and well told. The uncle (through wedlock) who survived a Japanese POW army camp was a tougher story to mind to but shows how ordinary people accept gone through extraordinarily things. I establish the story of how the McGann brothers all got involved in acting interesting as well. I found the medical descriptions a fleck difficult to listen too. As well, every bit other people have commented the language is very flowery at times. I virtually felt that Stephen was trying to hard with his metaphors. I was reading P M Wodehouse at the same time and it was clear to me that Stephen's style lacks the flair of Wodehouse. However it is an enjoyable volume. ...more

I felt this book was ok just it was very slow to outset with and not at all what I was expecting. The book was in 7 sections, the outset part of each section involved a lot if medical terminology which , in my view, was unnecessary. The next part of each section was a history of the fourth dimension the writer was talking about,which I besides idea was too long and drawn out. The last part of each department was the history of the McGann family from 1860 to the present fourth dimension and I found this part interesting. I atomic number 26 I felt this book was ok simply it was very tedious to start with and not at all what I was expecting. The book was in 7 sections, the starting time office of each section involved a lot if medical terminology which , in my view, was unnecessary. The adjacent part of each department was a history of the time the author was talking nearly,which I also thought was too long and drawn out. The last function of each department was the history of the McGann family from 1860 to the present fourth dimension and I institute this part interesting. I felt Stephen McGann had tried to write a family biography with a difference which didn't quite work. ...more

Stephen McGann is an English actor best known for his work on Call the Midwife. His 3 elder brothers -Joe, Paul, and Mark- are besides actors. Stephen is married to screenwriter Heidi Thomas.

McGann is too a public speaker and communicator of science, having graduated from Imperial College London with a masters caste in Scientific discipline Communication.

Net Flick Database page: http://www.imdb.com/name

Stephen McGann is an English actor best known for his work on Call the Midwife. His three elderberry brothers -Joe, Paul, and Mark- are too actors. Stephen is married to screenwriter Heidi Thomas.

McGann is besides a public speaker and communicator of science, having graduated from Imperial College London with a masters degree in Science Communication.

Internet Movie Database page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568914/

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"You will die.

That's the beautiful, terrible, simple truth of it. A biological fact, a medical reality and a genealogical axiom. You can walk around information technology, rationalise it in religion or medicate against it, but it won't change the ultimate outcome. Implicit in the fact of your existence is the inevitability of your extinction.

You will die. Mayhap soon. Mayhap non for many years. But you lot volition."

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"A family unit isn't merely a passive inheritance. It's divers by the bonds its members choose, and not simply the bonds assigned past genetics. Each time a family member joins their life to a biological stranger in marriage, adoption or through having children, a new clan joins itself to our family tree at the junction indicate of the union. New ancestors are fused with ours. New descendants are sired by the mingling of separate genetic codes. Without this chosen dearest our gene pool would stagnate. Without this new family unit, an assigned inheritance couldn't keep. Genes might specify the fashion nosotros're put together, but without our human will to love beyond those specifications, a family can't be all the things it might be." — 0 likes

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