The classic medical text known as Gray's Anatomy is one of the most famous books ever written. Science writer Bill Hayes has written the never-before-told story of how this seminal volume came to be. With passion and wit, Hayes explores the significance of Gray's Anatomy and explains why it came to symbolize a turning point in medical history. But he does much more: uncovering a treasure trove of letters and diaries, he illuminates the relationship between the fiercely gifted young anatomist Henry Gray and his younger collaborator H.V. Carter, whose exquisite anatomical illustrations are masterpieces of art and close observation. Tracing the triumphs and tragedies of these two extraordinary men, Hayes brings an equally extraordinary era--the mid-1800s--unforgettably to life. The book also chronicles Hayes's year as a student of anatomy, performing with his own hands the dissections and examinations detailed by Henry Gray 150 years ago.--From publisher description.