… a riveting narrative, tracing the journey from tragedy to triumph over a hidden genetic death sentence… Liebman interlaces her personal saga with the astounding advancements of the past two decades in combating genetic diseases... a compelling argument for the widespread embrace of genetic testing, illuminating its pivotal role in saving lives and enhancing health.
— Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of the The Gene: An Intimate History, #1 New York Times Bestseller
... poignant narrative of love, loss, and resilience ... seamlessly blends her family's tragic saga with vital insights into genetic technology... candid reflections on life and emotions, paired with accessible explanations of genetics and medicine ... a rare and compelling reading experience... vivid depictions of Jewish life will resonate deeply... especially significant in today’s climate of rising antisemitism.
— Stanley Prusiner, MD, Nobel laureate
…intimate … captivating … Talmud teaches us: “Whoever saves a single life is considered by Scripture to have saved the whole world.” …inspiring … from fear and secrecy to the exhilaration of scientific breakthrough and the critical lifesaving value of genetic testing.
— Rabbi Naomi Levy, author of Einstein and the Rabbi
... heartfelt storytelling ... deftly navigates the complexities of inherited risk ... compelling, thought-provoking, instructive, and ultimately uplifting. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning the science, addressing their fears, healing from loss, and finding peace in the journey.
— Janice Berliner, director, Genetic Counseling Program, Bay Path University and author of Ethical Dilemmas in Genetics and Genetic Counseling
The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a remarkable book...of immediate interest to young women with special talents, members of families affected by genetic disease, Americans appalled by resurgent antisemitism ... it will appeal to anyone looking for a captivating story about life lived large.
— Mayard Olson, PhD, one of the founders of the Human Genome Project
I love the book The Dressmaker’s Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family’s Secret by Susan Liebman. It sheds light on the devastating effect that genetic cardiomyopathy can have on a family and to our entire population. Susan has worked tirelessly to help shed light on this devastating disease and we applaud her for her efforts.
— Greg Ruf, founder and executive director of the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Foundation
Technological advances have made possible diagnosis, and, in some cases, treatment of the myriad of inherited/genetic diseases. Professor Susan Liebman, an accomplished geneticist herself, gives a non-technical introduction to the current state of this field, embedded in her own family story contending with one such condition. The special social/emotional implications of genetic diseases are vividly displayed in these personal recollections, and the current and emerging approaches to diagnosis and therapy ably described in an accessible way.
— Reed Wickner, MD, PhD, NIH distinguished investigator, elected to US National Academy of Sciences
The Dressmaker’s Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family’s Secretis a story of a family’s secrets, emphasizing the secrets embedded in their genes. I greatly enjoyed the mixture of the life stories of family members, including details that are reminiscent of most families, coupled with a clear description of the inherited disease afflicting many of the family members. This story is a beautiful example of how an understanding of human genetics and human genomics informs our understanding of the past, the present, and our likely future.
— Thomas Petes, PhD, Minnie Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Genetics, Duke School of Medicine; elected to US National Academy of Sciences
A sudden death in her family led geneticist Susan Liebman to investigate its origins. She has written a fascinating discovery of an unknown mutation affecting the heart that is unique to the Ashkenazy Jewish population.
— James Haber, PhD, director, Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Brandeis University, and elected to US National Academy of Sciences