Preview
  • Breakthrough

  • Elizabeth Hughes, the Discovery of Insulin, and the Making of a Medical Miracle
  • By: Thea Cooper, Arthur Ainsberg
  • Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)

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Breakthrough

By: Thea Cooper, Arthur Ainsberg
Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt
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Publisher's summary

It is 1919 and Elizabeth Hughes, the 11-year-old daughter of America's most-distinguished jurist and politician, Charles Evans Hughes, has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. It is essentially a death sentence. The only accepted form of treatment - starvation - whittles her down to 45 pounds, skin and bones. Miles away, Canadian researchers Frederick Banting and Charles Best manage to identify and purify insulin from animal pancreases - a miracle soon marred by scientific jealousy, intense business competition, and fistfights. In a race against time and a ravaging disease, Elizabeth becomes one of the first diabetics to receive insulin injections - all while its discoverers and a little known pharmaceutical company struggle to make it available to the rest of the world.

Relive the heartwarming true story of the discovery of insulin as it's never been told before. Written with authentic detail and suspense, and featuring walk-ons by William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Eli Lilly himself, among many others.

©2010 Thea Cooper, Arthur Ainsberg (P)2021 Tantor
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What listeners say about Breakthrough

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Goosebumps

Incredible history of type 1 diabetes and what life was like before Banting discovered insulin. Elizabeth Hughes's life was so inspiring.

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Medical and Historical information

Very Well written. Extremely Informative. So much learned in such a short time period. Great medical advancement.

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Fascinating story that is not well known

Narration is excellent and the theme and development of the story flows wonderfully. This history showcases the human side of the development of insulin and the book really brings that to life.

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