The Guinea Pig Club - by Emily Mayhew (Paperback)

About the Book

The Guinea Pig Club was a group of airmen seriously burned in airplane fires, who braved the experimental procedures that laid the groundwork for reconstructive surgery. This book explores the remarkable people and events behind this medical transformation that emerged from the Second World War.

Book Synopsis

A truly inspiring tale about the history of the Guinea Pig Club.

Plastic surgery was in its infancy before the Second World War -- the most rudimentary techniques were known only to a few surgeons worldwide. The Allies were tremendously fortunate in having the maverick surgeon Archibald McIndoe operating at a small hospital in East Grinstead in the south of England. After arguing with his superiors, McIndoe set up a revolutionary new treatment regime and rightly secured his group of patients, dubbed the Guinea Pig Club, and honoured place in society. Based on extensive research into official records and moving first-person recollections, this extraordinary book brings home the heroism and triumphs of this courageous band of men and contains updated material on how their example is inspiring today's wounded veterans.

Review Quotes

Our feelings of debt to 'the Few' are redoubled by reading this marvellous story of courage, endurance and hope.-- "Nigel Jones, author of The War Walk"

The first authoritative investigation and analysis of a remarkable wartime phenomenon. . . undoubtedly a significant contribution.-- "Dr Paul Addison, author of The Burning Blue"

About the Author

Emily Mayhew is a military medical historian and was the featured historian on a new documentary on the Guinea Pig Club, which was screened on BBC Four. She was also an adviser on an award-winning Canadian documentary about the club and a consultant on ITV's award-winning drama Foyle's War.