Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine

Warning! The text does not advise, guide, or recommend self-experimentation

Boring, Mel. Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine. New York : Henry Holt & Co., 2005.

Plot: Throughout history, scientists used experiments to make their discoveries. However, some trials seem too dangerous to ask anyone to attempt, so scientists experiment on themselves. The text outlines nine remarkable self-experimenters in their quest to understand the human body's processes and limitations. While some scientists eventually succumb to the results of their tests, many continue in their desire to discover and identify the world around them.

Genre: Science, History

Reading Level: Grades 5-9

Similar Title: Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters, The Frog Scientist

Personal Thoughts: I have a scientific background, so I found the book amazing. It combines human stories, natural science, and social history to give readers a sense of the danger, methodology, and necessity of influential scientists' experiments. The text also reminds readers some facts taken for granted, such as the human body's consistent temperature, had to be discovered. However, some readers find the text lengthy and complicated, especially since Boring tends to use advanced scientific terminology. Nevertheless, science-focused users may find the text useful, if not inspiring.