Overview

The David and Goliath story of the pathologist who discovered that America's favourite sport was killing its players. Soon a blockbuster Ridley Scott film starring Will Smith The brilliant young forensic pathologist had no idea that the body on the slab in front of him would change his life, and ultimately change the world. The body belonged to legendary American Footballer Mike Webster, whose mental health had rapidly declined - he had ended up treating his back pain with a Taser and using Superglue to fix his rotting teeth. Dr Bennet Omalu found that Webster's psychosis was no accident. His autopsy unearthed evidence of a trauma-related disease - the consequence of years of head clashes in games. He knew it would kill scores of other sportsmen unless something was done, and believed the NFL would welcome the discovery. Instead America's most powerful corporation tried to destroy him. Taut and gorgeously told, this is the intensely personal story of one man's fight against a multibillion dollar colossus. A man who stood up for what was right, whatever the cost.

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9780241975916

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Reviews

Bennet Omalu forced football to reckon with head trauma. The NFL doesn't want you to hear his story, but Jeanne Marie Laskas makes it unforgettable. This book is gripping, eye-opening, and full of heart. -- Emily Bazelon, author of 'Sticks and Stones' A gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Bennet Omalu's struggle to force the NFL to reckon with head injuries should give us all hope - and pause. A fabulous, essential read. -- Rebecca Skloot, author of 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' This is classic David and Goliath, and Jeanne Marie Laskas - one of my favourite writers on earth - makes it as exciting as a great courtroom drama. A riveting, powerful human tale... and a masterclass on how to tell a story -- Charles Duhigg * New York Times *

This is classic David and Goliath, and Jeanne Marie Laskas - one of my favourite writers on earth - makes it as exciting as a great courtroom drama. A riveting, powerful human tale... and a masterclass on how to tell a story -- Charles Duhigg New York Times A gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Bennet Omalu's struggle to force the NFL to reckon with head injuries should give us all hope-and pause. A fabulous, essential read. -- Rebecca Skloot, author of 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' Bennet Omalu forced football to reckon with head trauma. The NFL doesn't want you to hear his story, but Jeanne Marie Laskas makes it unforgettable. This book is gripping, eye-opening, and full of heart. -- Emily Bazelon, author of 'Sticks and Stones'

This is classic David and Goliath, and Jeanne Marie Laskas - one of my favourite writers on earth - makes it as exciting as a great courtroom drama. A riveting, powerful human tale... and a masterclass on how to tell a story -- Charles Duhigg New York Times

Author Information

Jeanne Marie Laskas has written for GQ, Esquire and the New York Times. She is director of The Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh, and she lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her family. She is the author of six books including Hidden America and The Exact Same Moon.

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