Breakthrough!: How Three People Saved "Blue Babies" and Changed Medicine Forever

Name: Breakthrough!: How Three People Saved "Blue Babies" and Changed Medicine Forever
Rating: 4.666666507720947 (3 reviews)

Jim Murphy

Dec 2015 · HarperCollins

4.7

3 reviews

Ebook

144

Pages

Eligible

Ratings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More

About this ebook

"Murphy’s dramatic nonfiction narrative recounting of one of the first open heart surgeries ever performed is not to be missed." —School Library Journal (starred review)

In 1944, a groundbreaking operation repaired the congenital heart defect known as blue baby syndrome. The operation’s success brought the surgeon Alfred Blalock international fame and paved the way for open-heart surgery. But the technique had been painstakingly developed by Vivien Thomas, Blalock’s African American lab assistant, who stood behind Blalock in the operating room to give him step-by-step instructions.

The stories of this medical and social breakthrough and the lives of Thomas, Blalock, and their colleague Dr. Helen Taussig are intertwined in this compelling nonfiction narrative.

Winner, Notable Books for a Global Society * Horn Book Fanfare List * A Booklist Best Young Adult Book

Ratings and reviews

4.7

3 reviews

Nikki Algien

March 27, 2023

If it weren't for Dr. Blalock, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. Taussing discovering the BTT Shunt I wouldn't be here today, I was born in the late 70's with Severe congenital heart defects known as TOF (Tetralogy of Fallot) with Pulmonary Artesia. I had Right side BTT Shunt done when I was just 3 months old in May 1977, I was 23 months old when they did the left side in January of 1979. then my repair in March 1982 at 5 years old. the Re repair of RVOT at 23 years old January of 2001. I also have the movie Something the Lord Made which is the story of BTT Shunt.

About the author

Jim Murphy's nonfiction books have received numerous awards, among them two Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, three Orbis Pictus awards, the Margaret A. Edwards award, the James Madison Book Award, and a National Book Award nomination. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jim lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his family. jimmurphybooks.com.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Report illegal content