Ira M. Rutkow, a medical historian and retired surgeon, holds a doctorate in public health in addition to his medical degree. His other books include Seeking the Cure: A History of Medicine in America (978-1-4165-3841-7), James A. Garfield (978-0-8050-6950-1), and the New York Times Notable Book Surgery: An Illustrated History (978-0-8016-6078-8). He lives in New York City and the Hudson Valley.