Second Wind

This book uses both oral and conventional historical methods to describe and analyze the history of lung transplantation in the US. While drawing on accounts from doctors and other specialists, it primarily focuses on the experiences of patients and explores themes of uncertainty, timing, identity, coping, and quality of life.

'This book is a very interesting, extremely well-researched, and certainly timely history of the procedure of lung transplantation. At its heart are the oral histories and personal accounts of over 45 individuals who have undergone the procedure; their stories, and those of family members, surgeons, transplant coordinators, and donors are bookended by chapters explaining the various life-threatening lung conditions which create the necessity for transplant, the history of the surgical procedure, and the development of allocation policies and procedures for these scarce and fragile organs.' Marcia Meldrum, researcher and lecturer, UCLA Center for Health Services and Society

'Simply terrific: very polished, lively and accessible writing, fascinating stories (and well told) and compelling analysis, a great balance of detail and significance, strong grounding in multiple relevant literatures/fields.' Kathryn Nasstrom, associate professor of History, University of San Francisco

'Mary Jo Festle intertwines a fascinating history of lung transplantation with the recipient's perspective. The experience of recipients accurately portrays a range of outcomes. This history uniquely acknowledges the importance of a transplant community that has thrived since the rise of the Internet. Today's transplant recipients pay it forward by sharing their experiences with people who are waiting for a life-saving organ. Festle pays it forward by telling our story.' Kathryn Flynn, Double Lung recipient, March 25, 1996

Mary Jo Festle is a professor of History at Elon University, where she teaches courses in recent U.S. History and Oral History. She is also the author of Playing Nice: Politics and Apologies in Women's Sports. Her brother Bob had a lung transplant.