An orphan leaves Dark Ages London to study medicine in Persia in this “rich” and “vivid” historical novel from a New York Times–bestselling author (The New York Times). A child holds the hand of his dying mother and is terrified, aware something is taking her. Orphaned and given to an itinerant barber-surgeon, Rob Cole becomes a fast-talking swindler, peddling a worthless medicine. But as he … peddling a worthless medicine. But as he matures, his strange gift—an acute sensitivity to impending death—never leaves him, and he yearns to become a healer.
Arab madrassas are the only authentic medical schools, and he makes his perilous way to Persia. Christians are barred from Muslim schools, but claiming he is a Jew, he studies under the world’s most renowned physician, Avicenna. How the woman who is his great love struggles against her only rival—medicine—makes a riveting modern classic.
The Physician is the first book in New York Times–bestselling author Noah Gordon’s Dr. Robert Cole trilogy, which continues with Shaman and concludes with Matters of Choice.
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This book was so good I couldn’t put it down..ended up reading the while series !!!!exlent reading!
Read this book more than 30 years ago and still remember it. I’ve recommended it to several friends who also loved it and thought it was one of the best books they’ve ever read. Highly recommend it.
This book is over 700 pages which I realize can be daunting, however, it is 100% worth the time it takes to read it. Gordon brings this world to life! I was immersed and became invested in the characters. It reignited my desire to dig into history and learn all I can!
,What a journey!
The best book ever!
Wonderful historical fiction about a young man learning to be a physician in a foreign wirld.
Loved all three in the series!
Takes place in 11th century England. A young orphan is taken in by an accomplished Barber-Surgeon to learn the trade. Fast moving, explicit situations.
To further his drive to learn medicine, the orphan pretends to be a Jew to learn from the finest Medical Hospital in Arab country. Racism, murder, romance and, believe it or not, impossible …
A delightful book and well worth the time it takes to read it. So many twists and turns, great information on the time period!
Fascinating
Not only did the story of a man called to be a healer itself keep me reading into the wee hours of the night, the description of of his travel to Persia to learn medicine was fascinating.
I liked the history, the story, the characters, and the descriptions of places and circumstances. Interesting to learn about the interfacing of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the 11th century, and about the medical practices of that time.
One of my all-time favorite books. I’ve read it probably 5 times. I just love Cole’s whole journey and Noah Gordon brings the time period to life with his descriptions.
Gave an excellent glimpse into the life and times in England in the 1000s.
Very indepth!
Regardless of its high rating I was not impressed. The book is written for men and those in the medical field. The sex scenes are a turn off. All the medical details are gross. It was definitely a struggle to finish. I don’t recommend it.
Highly recommend this book
Drew you into characters. Well written and worth your attention.
An amazing book with tales of the beginning of modern medicine. How an aspiring young doctor in 11th century has to work hard to get an education that will help and not harm patients. This an epic story spanning his life from a young child to getting a real education in the middle east and how our ideas about medicine were originally thought of as …
I loved this book and the way that he writes, I have read it twice.
Excellent!