Splendid Solution

Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio

By: Jeffrey Kluger

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting story of one of the greatest scientific accomplishments of the twentieth century, from the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Apollo 13.

With rivalries, reversals, and a race against time, the struggle to eradicate polio is one of the great tales of modern history. It begins with the birth of Jonas Salk, shortly before one of the worst polio epidemics in United States history. At the time, the disease was a terrifying enigma: striking from out of nowhere, it afflicted tens of thousands of children in this country each year and left them, literally overnight, paralyzed, and sometimes at death's door.

Salk was in medical school just as a president crippled by the disease, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was taking office, and providing the impetus to the drive for studies on polio. By the early 1950s, Salk had already helped create an influenza vaccine, and was hot on the trail of the polio virus. He was nearly thwarted, though, by the politics of medicine and by a rival researcher eager to discredit his proposed solution. Meanwhile, in 1952, polio was spreading in record numbers, with 57,000 cases in the United States that summer alone.

In early 1954, Salk was weighing the possibility of trials of a not-yet-perfected vaccine against, as the summer approached, the prospect of thousands more children being struck down by the disease. The results of the history-making trials were announced at a press conference on April 12, 1955: "The vaccine works." The room, and an entire nation, erupted in cheers for this singular medical achievement.

Salk became a cultural hero and icon for a whole generation. Now, at the fiftieth anniversary of the first national vaccination program, and as humanity is tantalizingly close to eradicating polio worldwide, comes this unforgettable chronicle. Salk's work was an unparalleled achievement, and it makes for a magnificent listen.

©2005 Jeffrey Kluger (P)2005 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The book is well researched and accessible, made all the more tense and gripping by the author's depiction of the pre-vaccine world." (Publishers Weekly)

Intriguing History

"Splendid Solution" is a powerful story of the development of the polio vaccine and a reminder of what life was like before its availability. Imagine that every year as spring rolls around, so does the dread that by the time school begins in the fall, one or more of your children could be paralyzed or dead. There was tremendous fear and the numbers of families affected every year surprised me. The science is understandably explained and the personal stories quite compelling. We take a lot for granted.

Interesting story, weak characters, too detailed

This book relates a truly interesting episode in recent history, and does an outstanding job illustrating how the medical scientific process can really work -- and how public perception can be pretty far out of line with medical reality.

The author's work leaves much to be desired. The book too often focuses annoyingly on useless details, such as whether coffee was served, or where a camera was placed in a lecture hall; yet it skims far too lightly over issues of character: why key people in the story behaved as they did.

I found myself playing the book at 1.5x or ever 2x speed to zoom through portions where unimportant details were conveyed for minutes at a time; yet I was hungry for more about the key players' difficulties, joys, and formative experiences -- and the utterly unexplained motivations for some of the biggest conflicts described.

Inspiring

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to my friends with the following descriptions: history buffs, vaccine antagonist/protagonist, health care providers, future scientists. Incredible history of FDR and Dr. Salk.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Splendid Solution?

The beginning of the book was incredibly inspiring. Understanding the quirkiness of future Dr. Salk, makes you appreciate differences in others (and yourself) that make you who you are, and quite perfect for the occupation you choose.

Have you listened to any of Michael Prichard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Killing a virus, Saving a population.

Any additional comments?

I must admit, the first couple chapters would have received 5/5 stars as it was quickly becoming a favorite read, however once it became detailed with minutia of lab procedures and politics of lab recognition, the book slowed down drastically. I would still recommend this book to many, but do prepare yourself for the tweaking of details about laboratory procedures. On the other hand, this novel made me appreciate the benefit of a vaccine, in the midst of a society that may hesitate/see only the bad in them.

Thoroughly Enjoyable!

I think Kluger does a great job of telling the history of the vaccine while also drawing us into his family, his peers, politics of research, and families of those in fear of polio. I was intrigued from start to finish.

Nice Review of Important Events in Recent History

This was a well-written and well-read book that did not drag in the least. It will particularly appeal if you enjoy science and experimental design. I think it would be almost as good even if you have other bends. The human side of the story is enjoyable while the significance of the medical breakthrough against Polio is noteworthy. The tie-ins with history events in the US with FDR and other issues in the 30's, 40's, and 50's brought the book home to me.

Awesome!

This is one of the best books I have listened to in years. The story of Salk and the polio vaccine is really outstanding.

Medical history at its finest.

Easy to get through over a days drive on 2x speed (iPod). Great story, no annoying narrations. If you enjoy medical history, here is another along the lines of Demon Under the Microscope or Emperor of All Mal.

Excellent book

Who would have thought that the story of the development of a vaccine could be so fascinating? Obviously Jeffrey Kluger did, and he did a wonderful job of weaving all of the components of this story together. One of the best stories I have heard on audible.com. I give it my highest recommendation.

Fascinating story!

I loved this book! It has just the right amount of technical detail, but doesn't overwhelm. Jeffrey Kluger is an excellent science writer. I also found interesting that the "politics" of medical research were similar in the first half of the 20th century to what they are now. I recommend this book to all who are interested in how this horrible disease of children was finally conquered.

Jonas E Salk; Saving lives

What made the experience of listening to Splendid Solution the most enjoyable?

Noticing the early vexing for profit by pharmaceutical companies even in the 1940's and 50's

What did you like best about this story?

Salks humanity

Which scene was your favorite?

The first test of a sucessful vaccine