Arrowsmith is the story of a brilliant man named Martin Arrowsmith, who has a passion for science and medicine, but with a weakness for women, money, and glory.

As a child, Martin would spend his free time reading through the medical books in the local doctor’s practice. This interest leads him to medical school, and eventually Martin starts his own private practice in medicine, while getting married to Leora Tozer.

Eventually, Martin transitions to becoming a public health official, and from there, he comes across the challenges of greed and corruption within the scientific and medical community as he is faced with making a choice between helping to save lives or helping the scientific community.