The Eclectic tells the story of an iconic Hoosier of his time, Dr. Wallace Wheat, the “herb doctor of the Wabash Valley” who utilized the pharmaceutical powers found in medicinal herbs, focusing on allaying pain and building stronger bodies with natural materials that were ready to hand, techniques and medicines in sharp contrast to the often crude and painful remedies popular among physicians at the time. Hoosier author Laura Clavio’s fictionalized story of Dr. Wallace’s life is an engaging and thoughtful look at a rural doctor’s caring and pioneering work in turn of the century rural Indiana.
Join West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel as he reviews books from all walks of literature.