An Anatomical Exercise on the Motion of the Heart and Blood in Living Beings by William Harvey

This influential medical text is a detailed study on the circulatory system, specifically focusing on the movement of blood and the function of the heart in living organisms. The author challenges the long-standing medical theories of his time, arguing against the belief that blood was created in the liver and then consumed by the body. Instead, he proposes that the heart acts as a pump, circulating blood throughout the body in a closed system. This revolutionary idea laid the foundation for modern understanding of the circulatory system and cardiovascular health.

The 2679th greatest book of all time


Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 138

Since this book was first published in 1628, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 138.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.