From the heart and mind of world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, Lawrence Dorr, M.D., comes an unforgettable historical novel, Die Once Live Twice, that combines a physician’s skill, intellect and knowledge of medicine with wonderful story-telling,
creating a book that celebrates the origins and miracle of modern medicine.

Die Once Live Twice is an epic page-turner that begins in Philadelphia before the Civil War and carries us through to the eve of World War II, bringing to life the drama of scientific discovery and the extraordinary achievements of modern medicine from its early days to the pioneering use of vaccinations, never-before performed surgeries, and finally to the discovery of penicillin. A “who’s who” of the history of medicine, this novel seamlessly weaves together memorable fictional characters with medical luminaries of the 19th and early 20th century, telling the story of the miracle workers who changed the face of medical care forever.

The story begins in 1850, when eleven-year-old Katherine Lovington must care for a mother dying of breast cancer. This agonizing experience transforms her life, and she vows to find a way to help medicine truly heal rather than simply offer morphine and sympathy.

Lawrence Dorr has created compelling characters who struggle for their lives as we witness the first radical mastectomy, see the administration of the first antitoxin against diphtheria and witness breakthroughs in orthopedic surgery. As readers, we witness the unfolding of medical history and share the very triumphs of effort, insight and courage over superstition, fear, and ignorance that the doctors of the day experienced. Together we live through the vivid and powerful lives of those whose dreams changed the world.

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### Review

"Seamlessly combines a great story with hard medical facts, enlightening readers to the struggles of early medicine in all its gritty and magical details. As a female heart surgeon and writer, I was moved not only by Dr. Dorr's ability to educate us on the history of medicine, but also his understanding and sensitivity to the struggles women have overcome to be a part of this magnificent profession."
***--Kathy E. Magliato, MD, MBA, FACS
President of the Los Angeles Division of the American Heart Association
Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Saint John's Health Center
Author of HEART MATTERS: the memoir of a female heart surgeon***

"As a history professor and writer, I understand the value of learning the story of the past through historical fiction. Lawrence Dorr, M.D., provides us with a compelling history of medicine by combining solid research and vivid characters who live, breathe, and die on the page."
***--David Eisenbach, Ph.D., award-winning historian, Columbia University***

"Lawrence Dorr is a courageous and innovative surgeon, but he is also a humanist who understands what makes people, doctors, and patients tick, giving him a unique and perceptive voice as an author. This book is a personal drama suffused with humanity and insight."
***--Daniel Berry, World Leader in Orthopedic Surgery***

"DIE ONCE LIVE TWICE dramatically reveals how Medicine's history profoundly affects doctors and patients alike."
***--Chitranjan S. Ranawat, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York ***

### From the Author

**WHY I WRITE
by Dr. Lawrence Dorr**

Ever since my college days at Cornell College in Iowa, I have wanted to write a novel. I loved reading and I wanted to have the amazing gift to be able to fascinate and inspire people through storytelling. I even worked with my favorite English professor, Winifred VanEtten, writing some chapters and learning the craft. Then I went off to medical school.

I enjoy a wonderful, fulfilling career as a surgeon, making miracles happen every day, but have still always thought about combining the miracle and mystery of medicine with the miracle and mystery of creating a novel. Four years ago I decided to pursue this lifelong dream. The topic was a natural - medicine. What attracted me was the mystery of how medicine-by-chance became Medicine the profession. The transformation was a time of miracles and profound discoveries for the doctors. People saw how their loved ones actually survived, stayed alive and thrived, because of a medical treatment. Medicine could provide a second chance to live. It was then I knew the name of my book: **Die Once, Live Twice**.

**Die Once, Live Twice** is the story of the Sullivan and Specht families as they live through this transformation of medicine from just being able to give hope to one that could fulfill hope. Doctors were scientists and medical treatments were scientifically based. In my novel doctor scientists unravel one mystery after another by hard work, suffering, and continual learning. Sometimes their reward is saving someone! My reward as a physician has been to save many people. My reward as a novelist will be to entertain, inspire and perhaps make my readers laugh and cry! Even teach a little of the amazing history of my ever- fascinating profession!

**Die Once, Live Twice**, will reinforce readers' beliefs that medicine can find the miracles, or solve the mysteries necessary for us or our loved ones to live twice if illness or injury jeopardize our lives. Many of you reading this may have already experienced the miracle of medicine. Those readers will understand my novel in its deepest meanings. 

I am thrilled that my dream will finally come true when my book is published on October 1st of this year. It will be available in your local bookstores as well as on Amazon, as an e-book after November 1st, but I'm hoping to meet my readers at various book signings and events around the country. Please check my tour schedule to see where I'll be. Come out and say hello, and share the excitement and the miracle!

***Dr. Lawrence Dorr***