This book is a thoughtful and perceptive overview of the development of obstetrics and gynaenocology in Australia from the beginning of the twentieth century. It contains myriads of little
known facts on the revolution in this discipline during the 20th century, which saw childbirth in Australia change from the dreadful, dangerous, and frightening experience of the 19th century
into the cocooned safety of today where Australia is now the safest place in the world to bear a child. The author weaves his 60 year journey in obstetrics into the national narrative to
provide a fascinating read. The reader will not only learn a great deal about the science and art of obstetrics, but also the personal issues faced by every conscientious obstetrician. Alan
Hewson rose from a humble background to become one of the most influential doctors to have graduated with the first wave of those admitted to Sydney University post-WWII. He achieved national
prominence in both his own discipline of obstetrics and the wider medical community. His career included not only obstetrics and gynaecology, but many aspects of formal education, medical
politics, and third world medicine, administration, and nursing education. Also included are 159 photos and diagrams. [Subject: Health, Women’s Medicine, Obstetrics, Medical History]
