Overall I genuinely enjoyed this book. It is well-written and it easy to understand. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz avoids a heavy-use of medical terms and makes herself easy to understand, making this book and enjoyable experience for everyone, not just those in the medical field. As a prospective veterinary student I have been told my whole life to look into going to human medical school. For years I have heard “become a doctor, it’s more worthwhile” or “you are so smart, become a regular doctor instead”. However, this book solidified my confidence in my future career by showing the importance of veterinary medicine in our lives. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz is helping put animal medicine back on the map and improving health for everyone and everything while doing so. She highlights the necessary connections between animal and human disease which can help show people that human health is not as unique and “specialized” as we like to make it. One critique I would have is that the book does oversimplify certain things. The author seems to make the generalization that all aspects of animal and human health overlap when it certainly does not. Some diseases and anatomical features are distinct to humans while some are specific to other animals. When reading this book it is important to recognize that there are vast distinctions between the two, but that does not mean that they cannot learn from each other. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz is showing us humans that the common diseases we face are much more natural than we like to believe. I believe everyone, at least those wanting to pursue a job in any aspect of healthcare, should read this book. Health professionals specifically would find this book fascinating. It is eye-opening and interesting to say the least.
