Here's a fascinating history of the development of forensic medicine, from ballistics to fingerprinting, from analysis of blood to microscope use, to DNA testing.

If you, like so many others, struggle to balance work with family life to the extent that your health is compromised – this book is for you.

As a child, Pelzer suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his mother. This is an account of what he went through. But Pelzer's will to survive is massively inspiring.

The Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants is a detailed and comprehensive book that covers everything your granny never knew about the healing power of plants.

This anthology of great science writing, which includes works by some of the most celebrated science writers of all time, can be enjoyed by both scientists and non-scientists.

It used to signal the end of womanliness. Seen Madonna recently? If that’s a perimenopausal woman, then bring it on…

This is the most readable – and arguably the most important – book ever written about the HIV pandemic.

Everything from the quackery around detox products, the lack of evidence for homeopathy, and the placebo effect, is handled with remarkable clarity, honesty, and authority.

Heather Parker reviews the book Bodies, by Susie Orbach.

Heather Parker reviews What the Dog Saw, a book by Malcolm Gladwell

In this highly inspirational book Dr Cohen gives us a detailed account of his life-and-death struggle with two lethal cancers

In the internet age, why would anybody want a great big heavy book about medical matters? Well, there’s credibility, for a start.

Actress Candice Derman writes about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child.

After a multiple sclerosis diagnosis Sally Hyder becomes disabled. Then she stumbles upon a charity called Canine Partners which pairs disabled people with helper dogs.

The Dictionary for Health Sciences is an invaluable tool for medical students and practitioners in all disciplines, translators, language practitioners and journalists.

Dr Linda Friedland recently published a medical guide with health information specifically for the South African family: Ultimate Guide to Family Health.