In The Demon Under the Microscope; Thomas Hager chronicles the dramatic history of sulfa; the first antibiotic and the drug that shaped modern medicine. The Nazis discovered it. The Allies won the war with it. It conquered diseases; changed laws; and single-handedly launched the era of antibiotics. Sulfa saved millions of lives—among them those of Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr.—but its real effects are even more far reaching. Sulfa changed the way new drugs were developed; approved; and sold; transformed the way doctors treated patients; and 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 colorful story; The Demon Under the Microscope illuminates the vivid characters; corporate strategy; individual idealism; careful planning; lucky breaks; cynicism; heroism; greed; hard work; and the 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.
#8703 in Books Hampton Sides 2007-10-09 2007-10-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.30 x 5.20l; 1.38 #File Name: 1400031109624 pagespaperbackwild westhistorypublished in 2006made in USA
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Real WestBy Nathan SchauerThis is so much more than a history of Kit Carson. This isn't a history of innocent Native Americans being victimized by evil white people. This is a complicated portrait of a man who both lived like a Native American; married and had children with a Native American and ruthlessly slaughtered Native Americans. This is the story of the real West; not a romanticized version of Indians or the Americans who settled the West.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Very good history of the American WestBy CKEHampton Sides has written a very solid account of the wild American West. While Kit Carson is the primary focus I would hardly call this a biography - in fact; it appears to be more of a true period history with Kit Carson weaving in and out of the narrative. Oddly; this is my main complaint - parts of Kit Carson's most interesting adventures were only touched upon. I am amazed that Sides did not include more one Carson's travel with Fremont. For an excellent account of these adventures I would highly recommend A Newer World : Kit Carson John C Fremont And The Claiming Of The American West and Pathfinder: John Charles Fremont and the Course of American Empire as excellent companion books. While I am a bit baffled at the omission of the John Fremont/ Kit Carson adventures it really is my only complaint. Otherwise; Hampton Sides has written a fair and compelling account that speaks to harshness and brutality of the American West. Sides paints a vivid account of the settler/indian skirmishes that plagued the 1800's. Sides shows that both parties had its villains and its peacemakers. Kit Carson is portrayed as 2 parts indian killer and 3 part peacemaker. "Blood and Thunder" centers on the life of Kit Carson; however the Navajo indians play much more than a secondary role. Sides tells a history of the Navajos that is rarely seen in popular writing. We see that they have flawed characters and utter inability to understand the culture that was thrust on them. The histories of the Navajos and Kit Carson collide when he is forced to embrace a scorched earth policy that drove the Navajos into submission. Sides has an engaging writing style and while parts get bogged down in detail "Blood and Thunder" typically reads quickly. I also enjoyed the amount of effort that was put into research - while it is true that most of the sources are secondary Sides did an excellent job compiling the facts into a free-flowing narrative.IF you enjoyed "Blood and Thunder" I would also highly recommendA Newer World : Kit Carson John C Fremont And The Claiming Of The American WestThe Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream (My personal favorite)Pathfinder: John Charles Fremont and the Course of American Empire All three books tell stories that are equally unbelievable and gives you a new respect for the early western pioneers.Overall 4 1/2 stars rounded to 51 of 1 people found the following review helpful. KIT CARSON; SYMBOL OF THE OLD WESTBy Denny RyanBlood and Thunder incorporates the life of Kit Carson in the struggle of forces beyond control. The Westward Movement of pioneers looking for land; encouraged bygovernment forces; devastated IndianTribes who lost not only the land which had sustained them for generations; butremoved the very animals which were theirsource of food; clothing shelter and sustenance. The author presents Kit Carson as a man who understood the loss of the land and a people incapable of affecting forces beyond their control.
