Mere Mortals is a gripping compilation of the medical misfortunes of more than 30 well-known characters from history. Written with author Jim Leavesley's typical light touch and whimsical style, these informative speculations on the fate of these men and women make for compelling reading. Find out the answers to these fascinating questions: Did Henry VIII actually have syphilis? Why did Rasputin take so long to die? Was George III as mad as they all said he was? How did Franklin D. Roosevelt manage to keep secret the fact that he could not walk? What really killed Napoleon? This engrossing book is perfect bedside reading!
Table of Contents
Introduction 8 Akhenaton ... 13Claudius and Caligula ... 24Joan of Arc ... 30Richard III and Elizabeth I ... 39Henry VIII ...51Charles II ...61Queen Anne ...71Samuel Pepys ... 82Isaac Newton ... 98Pitt the Elder, Pitt the Younger and Lord Melbourne . .108Samuel Johnson ... 115George III ...126Mozart ... 135John Dalton ...143Beethoven ...149Nelson ...160Napoleon ... 169Lady Caroline Lamb ... 178Lady Flora Hastings ... 188Elizabeth Barrett-Browning . . 197Robert Schumann, Helen Keller and some others with disabilities ... 208Charles Darwin ... 217Abraham Lincoln ... 225The Bront family ... 234Queen Victoria ... 245Florence Nightingale ... 255Frederick II
