Book · 2013 · Biography & Autobiography
The Prince of Medicine
Galen in the Roman Empire
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If you're interested in the history of medicine read a hard book the prince of medicine about Galen.
Andrew Huberman · The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett · Sep 2026 Why people recommend it
The Prince of Medicine by Susan P. Mattern is a detailed historical biography of the ancient physician Galen and the origins of early medical practice. On multiple episodes of the Huberman Lab, Andrew Huberman recommended the book to listeners interested in the history of medicine, noting that it provides a vivid look at how medicine was practiced back when it was truly barbaric. He also specifically recommended the dense, detailed book for anyone suffering from insomnia, and mentioned it on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett as a great hard book to read for historical insights. Furthermore, Huberman discussed reading the book on the Huberman Lab to illustrate how humans have pondered complex biological and medical concepts for thousands of years. Across these appearances, Huberman emphasized both the staggering historical value and the sheer density of Mattern's writing, portraying it as a challenging yet deeply rewarding read for those seeking to understand the brutal and fascinating origins of modern medical science and historical health philosophies.
Every mention
Andrew Huberman If you're interested in the history of medicine read a hard book the prince of medicine about Galen. 4
“If you're interested in the history of medicine read a hard book the prince of medicine about Galen.”
“wonderful book, by the way, folks is the Prince of Medicine about Galen, if you ever want to learn about how we learned about medicine back when it was truly barbaric.”
“There's a wonderful book that if anyone is suffering from insomnia they should check out because it's extremely detailed and difficult to listen to or read, but it's called The Prince of Medicine”
“I've been reading a wonderful book called The Prince of Medicine. Dates back to the origins of medicine. Very dense book.”