The Demon Under The Microscope

By: Thomas Hager

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The Nazis discovered it. The Allies won the war with it. It conquered diseases, changed laws, and single-handedly launched the era of antibiotics. This incredible discovery was sulfa, the first antibiotic medication. In The Demon Under the Microscope, Thomas Hager chronicles the dramatic history of the drug that shaped modern medicine.

Sulfa saved millions of lives, among them, Winston Churchill's and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr.'s, but its real effects have been even more far reaching. Sulfa changed the way new drugs were developed, approved, and sold. It transformed the way doctors treated patients. And it ushered in the era of modern medicine. The very concept that chemicals created in a lab could cure disease revolutionized medicine, taking it from the treatment of symptoms and discomfort to the eradication of the root cause of illness.

A strange and vibrant story, The Demon Under the Microscope illuminates the colorful characters, corporate strategy, individual idealism, careful planning, lucky breaks, cynicism, heroism, greed, hard work, and central (though mistaken) idea that brought sulfa to the world. This is a fascinating scientific tale with all the excitement and intrigue of a great suspense novel.

©2006 Thomas Hager (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Highly entertaining." (Publishers Weekly)

A world without antibiotics

I don't often think about how much our world has changed, but this compelling history of the development of the drugs we take for granted made me all too aware that in another time I could have lost my beautiful children to things that are no more than an annoyance today. I don't too often stray from fiction, but the pace and story-telling of this surprisingly interesting book kept me interested all the way through. A really enjoyable and educational read.

interesting story

liked the content, found it to be fascinating. the voice was difficult to listen to at times, but overall very good and interesting!

A great book, wonderfully read

Where does The Demon Under The Microscope rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks very highly. It's a gripping tale of scientific discovery, public health and lots of little historical vignettes. Loved it!

What did you like best about this story?

The author does a great job of making complicated processes compelling and easy to understand.

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

This was the first time I've listened to Stephen Hoye but it won't be the last. An outstanding reader!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure!

Sulfa compounds: True wonder drugs

Spectacularly important story of the discovery and medically revolutionary use of sulfa.
Essential and stimulating listening for medical specialists and laypersons alike.

Very good narration. Sincerity comes through loud and clear.

A history you don’t want to miss!!

Fascinating and a lot like the Innovators wherein the lives we lead today owe thanks to a great number of people (we’re living on the shoulders of giants). The narrator was fantastic and really did a great job with something that could have been dry and hard to follow. This audiobook is a 10!

Outstanding

This is my first book dealing with microbiology. I do work in allied health and I'm a respiratory therapist. I work with different types of anabiotic's every day. I must say this was a very informative and interesting book. I definitely will recommend this to all my nursing and respiratory friends.

Awesome.

The history of science. This book rocks. I wish every book was this good. Buy it, you'll like it.

excellent!

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book, it covers the history of antibiotics from a personal view and it lets you see what a difference was made by sterilization techniques, antibiotics, etc. We all know of Listerine, but I was not aware of Dr Lister- who pioneered sterilization techniques for surgeries. I know this review sounds boring, but the book is absolutely not boring. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

A real "page turner " for this microbiologist.

I worked in a bacteriology lab and wondered what it was like pre-antibiotics. Now I know why strep was such a killer.

Fascinating

Great narrator. From what could have been a too intricate and slow subject the author created a fast moving and very interesting read.