The invisible kingdom : reimagining chronic illness / Meghan O'Rourke.
"A landmark exploration of one of the most consequential and mysterious issues of our time: the rise of chronic illness and autoimmune diseases A silent epidemic of chronic illnesses afflicts tens of millions of Americans: these are diseases that are poorly understood, frequently marginalized, and can go undiagnosed and unrecognized altogether. Renowned writer Meghan O'Rourke delivers a revelatory investigation into this elusive category of "invisible" illness that encompasses autoimmune diseases, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and now long COVIDynthesizing the personal and the universal to help all of us through this new frontier. Drawing on her own medical experiences as well as a decade of interviews with doctors, patients, researchers, and public health experts, O'Rourke traces the history of Western definitions of illness, and reveals how inherited ideas of cause, diagnosis, and treatment have led us to ignore a host of hard-to-understand medical conditions, ones that resist easy description or simple cures. And as America faces this health crisis of extraordinary proportions, the populations most likely to be neglected by our institutions include women, the working class, and people of color. Blending lyricism and erudition, candor and empathy, O'Rourke brings together her deep and disparate talents and roles as critic, journalist, poet, teacher, and patient, synthesizing the personal and universal into one monumental project arguing for a seismic shift in our approach to disease. The Invisible Kingdom offers hope for the sick, solace and insight for their loved ones, and a radical new understanding of our bodies and our health."-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781594633799
- ISBN: 1594633797
- ISBN: 9780593541456
- ISBN: 0593541456
- ISBN: 9780399573309
- Physical Description: 324 pages ; 24 cm
- Publisher: New York, : Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2022.
- Copyright: ©2022
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-314) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Part one: Obstacles. Introduction ; "Gradually and then suddenly" ; What is an autoimmune disease? ; Disease concepts ; Impersonation ; Doctor-patient relationship ; Alternatives ; Downward spiral ; Woman problem ; Immune system gone awry -- Part two: Mysteries. Autoimmunity as metaphor ; Mind/body ; Positive thinking ; Possibility ; Nadir ; Lyme disease ; Futurity ; Uncertainty -- Part three: Healing. Silence and healing ; Solutions ; Wisdom narrative.
Search for related items by subject
Available copies
- 60 of 60 copies available at NC Cardinal.
- 1 of 1 copy available at McDowell County Public Library. (Show)
Holds
- 0 current holds with 60 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 37810435787923 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Albemarle Main Library | 614.044 Oro (Text) | 31010000816894 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library | 616.044 O (Text) | 39493110049758 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Ashe County Public Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 50503300467554 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Beaufort Main | 616.044 OROUR (Text) | 34208900111518 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Bethlehem Branch | 616.044 O'Rourke (Text) | 34269001346726 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Black Mountain Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 0020513178028 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Bordeaux Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 31781068421773 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Braswell Memorial Main Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 37807000034535 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Camden County Library | 616.044 ORO (Text) | 39488900258916 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
"A landmark exploration of one of the most consequential and mysterious issues of our time: the rise of chronic illness and autoimmune diseases A silent epidemic of chronic illnesses afflicts tens of millions of Americans: these are diseases that are poorly understood, frequently marginalized, and can go undiagnosed and unrecognized altogether. Renowned writer Meghan O'Rourke delivers a revelatory investigation into this elusive category of "invisible" illness that encompasses autoimmune diseases, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and now long COVIDynthesizing the personal and the universal to help all of us through this new frontier. Drawing on her own medical experiences as well as a decade of interviews with doctors, patients, researchers, and public health experts, O'Rourke traces the history of Western definitions of illness, and reveals how inherited ideas of cause, diagnosis, and treatment have led us to ignore a host of hard-to-understand medical conditions, ones that resist easy description or simple cures. And as America faces this health crisis of extraordinary proportions, the populations most likely to be neglected by our institutions include women, the working class, and people of color. Blending lyricism and erudition, candor and empathy, O'Rourke brings together her deep and disparate talents and roles as critic, journalist, poet, teacher, and patient, synthesizing the personal and universal into one monumental project arguing for a seismic shift in our approach to disease. The Invisible Kingdom offers hope for the sick, solace and insight for their loved ones, and a radical new understanding of our bodies and our health."--
