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)

Fascinating Science History

Written expertly and read with great energy, this audiobook is a fascinating retelling of the stories of genius, of caring, and of cunning in what was truly the genesis of modern medical practice.

Proof one person can change the world

Any additional comments?

I was hesitant to use my credit on this book. I enjoy history, and in particular, war history, and was surprised to find ample amounts of both in this book. Most of us born in the latter half of the 20th century don't often consider the fact that, not many years ago, a common bacterial infection could be life threatening. Consider the soldier in WWI who received a small shrapnel wound that ends in infection, and ultimately death. NO DRUG existed that could address bacterial infection. The common medical prescription was fluids and rest. A simple sinus infection could have been lethal. In other words, it is hard to imagine the impact a few determined scientists had on humanity when they discovered a way to fight bacterial infection.

Thomas Hager does justice to these determined men and women in this wonderful book. I highly recommend this book to anyone. The narration is great, and the story is phenomenal.

Superb story

As a physician I found this treatment of the development of the first antibiotic extremely interesting and informative. The author
does a great job of describing the pre-antibiotic era-which includes most of history-and against this background tells the story of the discovery of sulfa.
In particular, the carnage (wound infections) caused by the "strep" bacteria in WWI is addressed in detail--it was a dreadful slaughter--and even the tiniest wound could kill.
This is a must read for one who would understand the modern antibiotic era, and a warning about what will happen when our current drugs are outsmarted by the bacteria.

A Solid Science History Book

A very well done history of the fight against bacteria, which led up to the magic bullet of sulfa. I especially liked the fact that Hager is a scientist turned writer rather than a journalist turned nothing. His grasp of science shows throughout the book, and this book has one of the best beginnings I've seen for a history of science book. The detail is amazing and always interesting, mixing large doses of big business, academics, science, and politics.

Well done history of disease in the early 1900's

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Demon Under The Microscope?

The understanding of how French law views patents and how section on how the FDA got their fangs.

What about Stephen Hoye’s performance did you like?

He sounded engaged.

Any additional comments?

Well researched and interesting. Very 'readable'.

Well Written & Fascinating

I know next to nothing about medicine, biology and chemistry. You'd think the topic of this book would be toruously boring to read about, but no! The writing is wonderful and I was fascinated all the way through. The reader was good too. It's a very engaging story with interesting characters and intrigue, well told.

Could've done without the epilogue

I found the majority of this book very enlightening and (I'm trusting) well researched but the epilogue made me question the author's motives and speculate some on what was presented. In the story. The narration was excellent throughout.

Intriguing read

The book is about the discover of sulfa and it’s effect on the world, disease, and World War II. Definitely recommended for the scientific minded. Plus I love the narrator

Very interesting and gripping.

It was an informative and detailed book, yet managed to excite me and make me cheer for the scientists and other characters that inhabit it's pages. Well read and performed by Mr. Hoye.

A miracle that I am grateful for.

I will never take antibiotics for granted again. After listening to this book, I realize just how fortunate I am to live at this time when so many conditions are easily cured with antibiotics. People died from sore throats? Or a splinter in their foot? As I read I thought about the scene in Pride and Prejudice when Jane gets sick. Mr. Bennett makes a joke about her dying, but after this book I realize that people did die from things we consider rather common, like colds. Made me very grateful, not only for scientists who work hard to discover these drugs, but for the chances that made these discoveries possible.