Project Unthinkable: A Doctor’s Gamble to Save Millions of Lives

Project Unthinkable is the story of Dr. Derek Yach and his life’s work toward eradicating combustible cigarettes. Yach always had a drive to make a difference in the world, which led him to fulfill this through medical school. Being from South Africa, his work took him to Geneva to work at the World Health Organization where he became a leader in the fight towards healthy living, particularly anti-tobacco. Then he went to the United States to work in both the academic and scientific world. His reputation and morals were put on the line during a working stint at PepsiCo, and then for PMI, a major tobacco company. This “defection”, in simple terms, was seen negatively. His legacy will now continue to be seen in his work of conveying non-combustible cigarettes as a healthier option while working at PMI.

Being open-minded in the name of science is one of the main focuses in the book. Through these trials, I found Dr. Yach to be an interesting, intellectual, and powerful man. Though his work is being done in a round-about way from his original path, he is on course to save billions of lives in the long run. The story was well told and a page-turner.