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The Physician (The Cole Trilogy)

21.99

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The Physician (The Cole Trilogy)

4.6

Highest ranking 101

8 comments

$21.99

Save 19%

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Nat MakReviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025

The book is an encyclopedia of life in the 11th century, both in Europe and the East. The author must have learned so much to acquire such a vast knowledge of so long ago. Even from the educational point of view this book is a treasure. All the more as an adventure of the protagonist, who followed his calling of curing and helping people against so many odds. The narration and the characters that come alive are so perfect, they add harmonically to the brightness of the book. I highly recommend reading this book

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Laura Penn WarrenReviewed in the United States on December 5, 2012

This is a long story that spans at least two decades of the protagonist's (Rob J's) life. Because the story is very long and detailed - and because other reviewers have already recited the facts - I will refrain from reiterating the facts here. (I note that Wikipedia also provides a very good overview of the facts.) In short, this is easily one of the most captivating and interesting novels I have read in my forty-one years. To quote a professional critic, it is "fast-paced, one engrossing scene unfolding into another, revealing yet another adventure, danger or discovery." I am awed by the level of research, creativity, time, and energy that went into this novel. It is with humility that I offer a few criticisms. First, I would have liked to see more evolution of Rob J's character. I found it easy to sympathize with him, but he was never fully loveable. Moreover, there were no other loveable characters in the novel. On the other hand, perhaps it speaks to Mr. Gordon's talent as an author that he could write such a long and compelling tale without creating any endearing characters. Next, although the story often requires a suspension of judgment, two of Rob J's actions were particularly unbelievable. While attending medical school in Persia (in the Middle Ages) and studying under the tutelage of the great Ibn Sina, Rob J had a sexual affair with one of Ibn Sina's wives - even though he knew that the penalty for adultery, for the male participant, was public disembowelment. In fact, one of Rob J's medical school friends, Karim, was subsequently disemboweled after he was caught having an affair with the same woman. (The woman was beheaded.) Also, Rob J had almost attained the title of physician by the time his wife, Mary, gave birth to their second child. Nonetheless, he behaved like a stereotypical modern male and could not bear to be in the house during the birth. Even though the eleventh-century Persian medical education did not seem concerned with childbirth, one would expect a medical student who is almost a doctor to stay in the room - at a minimum. Although this was a work of fiction, I must mention two interesting contradictions about life in the Middle Ages. First, doctors in the Middle Ages -- in and outside of Persia -- were forbidden from dissecting the human body. Thus, the great physicians who taught Rob J had not even seen the inside of a human. Despite the prohibition against desecrating the human body, a man in Persia could be disemboweled for an infraction such as adultery, and a woman could have her tongue severed for speaking against Islam. Additionally, the penalty for adultery in Persia was outrageous even though the act was commonplace, prostitutes were an obvious social mainstay, and the Shah (who had four wives) could bed whomever he chose. I thought that these contradictions added to the intrigue of the story. Although I have critiqued the novel, I heartily recommend it. The ending felt a bit rushed, but the story came full circle. I recommend the book for the adventurous, those interested in medicine, sociology/anthropology, or the mystery and intrigue of death, those interested in Persian history and the religious conflicts of the Middle Ages, and those who are simply curious and desire to read something that is almost guaranteed to be unlike any other book they have read. If the book were shorter, I would read it again. Because it's nearly 800 pages, however, I will await the film -- which is said to be in production. On the whole, it is an excellent novel and to Mr. Gordon, I say . . . Bravo!

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anhonestopinionReviewed in the United States on February 27, 2014

I did really like this story. At the beginning I was thinking to rate this five stars, but... no, I don't think I should exaggerate so much. I am sure you have read other reviews, so I will only go into this in the most general way so as to not destroy the story. I found it interesting to read about the 11th century and in particular about the main character, Rob, to learn more about what medicine "might" have been like and also a little more about life during that time period. However, this is just fiction, so less for educational purposes and more for entertainment. Do not write a thesis based upon this story... okay? You should first know this book is not a fast read. There was little in the way of suspense although at times, maybe for me just a little. Often the author prepared you for the next event so much that it was predictable and therefore no real surprises. I also found some details redundant and not necessary for the main storyline. It is one thing to paint a picture of a particular thing, another to make it into too much as to distract the reader and hope the author moves on soon. Again, this is entertainment not a history lesson, so why go so far into the minutia details as we are not taking a history lesson here. Maybe on certain items, the author did a lot of research and felt that with all of this work he put into it, why not just throw it into the mix to justify his time. Another thing that bothered me a bit was the fact that often when things happened, there was no real explanation as to why a person behaved a certain way or did something the way they did. I understand, we don't need full scale analysis, but this was lacking with all of the characters for the most part. In substitution for too much irrelevance, maybe the author could have concentrated on that emotional mind set a bit more as to specifically explain why a character does this action or behave this way. As a result their actions just did not make any sense or have any reasoning behind it. It therefore took away some of the empathy I might have had for them and made the characters less significant. I am not saying full disclosure for every action and then analysis, but there were times when I thought, what, that is it, did I miss something? Perhaps there was another chapter here that got edited. How can you completely ignore the emotional response and just keep moving on? A friend of mine hates animal cruelty. You should know this can be found during certain parts of the book. My friend would be upset if I recommended a book and did not warn them of this. There is also people cruelty, and descriptions of medical stuff that might or might not interest a potential reader. I have read much worse in terms of gore and blood, but, if you are sensitive, just know it can be found. Keep in mind, this was "supposedly" what life might have been like during this time period. I am certain it must have been more brutal. Racism is a very sad and terrible part of history, perhaps it is not depicted accurately in this story, but you get the idea that it was not something invented in the 20th century. To sum up my review, I did really like this book, after all, I did give it four stars. I will, at some point in the future, when, I don't know, but eventually read the second book of the trilogy. So, if this time period interests you, and you can live with the fact this is fiction, I say, it is worth the time to read.

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andrea manunzaReviewed in Italy on December 5, 2020

Veramente affascinante,anche se conoscevo la storia la lettura in inglese lo rende ancora più bello

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marina1983Reviewed in Spain on February 12, 2014

Un poco largo pero buenísimo. Muy bien ambientado en la época. Impresionantes sus descripciones de la medicina antigua y de los recursos que empleaban. Aunque no creo que me lea la saga completa. Estoy deseando ver la película.

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Alfonso LagunaReviewed in Mexico on August 16, 2020

Historia de un escocés que se convierte en médico, a través de un viaje hasta Persia.

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JackieReviewed in Canada on October 23, 2017

I had stumbled upon this trilogy via Kindle's "if you read this author you might enjoy this one too" or whatever..... I do enjoy historical novels as long as they are readable and interesting and appear to be well researched. This one hits the mark on all three and even takes in some new directions and aspects of the age I hadn't previously read about. Have read the following two books as well, not really expecting to enjoy them as much being that they took place in more familiar eras but was pleasantly surprised with those as well. Would recommend the read.

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Marie SAJOUSReviewed in France on July 19, 2021

Pour mon plus grand plaisir ! J'avais déjà lu "the last Jew" et "tait impatiente de découvrir la trilogie Cole. Je ne suis pas déçue et ai du mal à m'arrêter de lire avant que mes yeux ne se ferment tout seuls! Simplement fascinant. Enthralling !