The Blue Man and Other Stories of the Skin - by Robert A Norman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Written by a leading dermatologist, The Blue Man and Other Stories of the Skin provides a compelling and accessible introduction to the life of our largest organ, while also recounting the author's experiences with memorable patients he has treated who suffer from mysterious skin conditions. Robert Norman begins by highlighting the qualities of the skin, tracing the history of its conditions and diseases, then examining the cultural, social and psychological impact of both color and irregularity. The book also features an absorbing collection of stories about some of his most intriguing patients: from a man whose skin mysteriously turned blue, to a hypochondriacal woman who begins to show signs of a life-threatening disease. This is a fascinating account of the dynamic nature of the skin, and the people who inhabit it.

From the Back Cover

"Dr. Rob Norman's The Blue Man describes real-life dermatological detective stories that reveal the skin as a complex and mysterious creature and the practicing physician as both detective and an epidemiologist. This book educates and entertains, illustrates and illuminates, and improves our understanding of the skin -- our largest organ and the link between our bodies, the environment and other organisms. Read this book and enter the curious and fascinating world of skin."--Dr. Sharad P. Paul, M.D., author of Skin: A Biography

"Dr. Rob Norman has written a fascinating, entertaining, and informative book that weaves dermatologic diseases into spellbinding stories. For his characters, he does what Arthur Conan Doyle did for Sherlock Holmes. Physicians and the lay public will love this book!"--Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Sol and Clara Kest Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City

"How does our skin define us? In The Blue Man, dermatologist-author Rob Norman provides an entertaining and informative overview of how our skin shields us from harm but also provides clues that the disease may be running amok in our bodies. The Blue Man will appeal to all those who make the health and care of skin their business and to general readers seeking to learn more about the body's largest organ."--Rita Ciresi, author of Pink Slip and Bring Back My Body to Me, Professor of English, University of South Florida's Director of Creative Writing

"Lucid and appealing, The Blue Man is an introduction to a topic that almost all of us are interested in: our skin. Dr. Norman is a well-recognized expert in dermatology. For students interested in medical narrative, certain chapters would be required reading."--David J. Elpern, M.D., Editor, The Online Journal of Community and Person-Centered Dermatology (OJCPCD)

"In The Blue Man, Robert Norman does for the skin what Oliver Sacks did for the brain. With his guidance, we travel under and around the skin to view people's distress or bewilderment over their skin conditions. Norman's clear descriptions of skin diseases are woven into evocative and compassionate accounts of real people whose fates have been altered by their skin."--Nina G. Jablonski, author of Skin: A Natural History and Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color

"Skin diseases may create great physical, mental, and emotional suffering. Dr. Rob Norman writes about these afflictions with insight and compassion."--John E. Wolf, Jr., M.D., M.A., Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine

"Human skin, serving as the interface with the environment, is not only an important barrier, it is also a major contributor to social and cultural interactions. Thus, in addition to considerations of disease, there is much to reflect on the skin's greater role in our lives. While the biomedically-oriented physician may focus on making the right diagnosis and prescribing the right therapy, the humanistic physician sees the big picture, the stories of people's lives in which the skin plays a prominent role. Leading dermatologist Dr. Rob Norman--a man of science, letters, and sound--shares these stories, educating us on the basic science underlying this remarkable organ while demonstrating the
lessons it has to share with us in our interpersonal lives."--Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

"Dr. Norman's stories about our skin range from its vital physiological functions to its behavior in our everyday lives. The book is a beautifully written account that celebrates the body's largest organ. Dr. Norman frequently uses the "eye of a naturalist" to provide comparisons between the behavior of skin and what occurs around us in nature to emphasize his points. A delightful read!"--Irwin M. Braverman MD, Professor Emeritus of Dermatology, Yale Medical School

"Dr. Norman is a born raconteur. He has taken his literary skills to new heights in gathering together stories about the skin and has capably used them to illustrate various dermatologic observations and findings."--Lawrence Charles Parish MD, MD(Hon), Editor-in-Chief, Clinics in Dermatology and SkinMED

Review Quotes

"The Blue Man and Other Stories of the Skin explains not only basic and interesting facts on skin, but also contains vignettes of unusual patient cases."

-- "Jerusalem Post"

About the Author

Dr. Robert Norman is an award-winning dermatologist who has been in practice for over 25 years. He has written 18 books, including The Woman Who Lost Her Skin (And Other Dermatological Tales).