The first comprehensive biography of the "Father of the Blood Bank" and a champion of civil rights and equal health care
Genius Unbroken is the first comprehensive biography to bring the extraordinary life of Dr. Charles Drew, the "Father of the Blood Bank," into focus. Born into Washington D.C.'s vibrant African American community at the turn of the twentieth century, Drew rose on the strength of extraordinary physical and intellectual talents to become a groundbreaking medical research scientist. He pioneered methods of blood and plasma storage, leading America's first large-scale blood bank: innovations that continue to save lives around the world. A gifted surgeon and educator, Drew also became an eloquent and powerful advocate of civil rights, especially equal health care, for African Americans. Tragically, while still a young man, he lost his life while travelling to a medical conference that provided free care to indigent patients.
Researched and developed through an intimate collaboration with Drew's daughter, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, Miller encapsulates the life of Dr. Drew in a profound exploration of one man's challenge to institutional barriers in creating lasting change. Readers will find in Genius Unbroken the story of Dr. Drew's seminal and life-saving work while his life offers an enduring lesson in resilience, intellectual triumph, and the transformative power of unwavering determination.
Reviews
"Thanks to diligent research combined with memories, documents, photographs, and newspaper clippings, readers will learn about an important medical advancement....Dr. Miller combines the medical background to illustrate the importance of Drew's work with the literary skills to create a compelling life story."—Epoch Times
"[Genius Unbroken] offers one of the most compelling stories you'll read this fall by revealing the life and impact of Dr. Drew.Readers will appreciate knowing why his story matters today."—Caribbean Life
"By any objective assessment or analysis, the life of Dr. Charles R. Drew established and has been a blueprint for defining what is a true "living legend." The impact of Dr. Drew was transformative and continues to transcend generations. I myself am a testament and tangible proof of the Drew legacy being a "living" one. This important biography should be required reading for all—irrespective of ethnicity, profession, or generation."—L. D. Britt, MD, professor of surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School
About the Author
Craig Alan Miller, M.D., is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon and author of three books on medicine and medical history, The Making of a Surgeon in the Twentieth Century; The Big Z: The Life of Robert M. Zollinger; and A Time for All Things: The Life of Michael E. DeBakey.
Charlene Drew Jarvis is a neuroscientist, politician, and educational leader. She was elected six times to the Council of the District of Columbia (1979-2000) and served as President of Southeastern University.
