I read a lot of books about London. I have shelves full of them. My personal London library is now approaching 200 books, and my wife despairs.

The newest addition to my collection is called Medical London. It’s also one of the finest histories of the city I’ve ever read. This is the debut from author Richard Barnett, and marks the emergence of an impressive talent. The writing flows like a freshly severed artery the eternal Thames, bringing a poetic touch to the realm of corpses, vomit and quackery. Radio 4 agrees; this will be their book of the week for 1–5 December.

It’s so much more than a book; a bursting variety pack of medical writing, a literary first-aid kit stuffed with maps, essays and information. The main component is called ‘Sick City: 2,000 Years of Life and Death in London’, a ~200 page collection of essays charting the history of medicine, sickness and madness in the capital. For those who prefer to get out and about, six fold-out walking guides are also enclosed. A comprehensive gazetteer of museums, hospitals, plaques and historical sites completes the pack. But then there’s even more online, including a series of videos introducing some of the key locations from the book.

I won’t gush about the project any more here, other than to beseech you to go buy it. NOW! You can also read my interview with the author and editor over on Londonist. And Peter Ackroyd in the Times has a stab at reviewing the book, but ends up providing his own essay on the sick city.

Medical London is published by Strange Attractor/Wellcome Trust.