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Germ Theory: Medical Pioneers in Infectious Diseases (ASM Books) Paperback – April 11, 2023

by Robert P. Gaynes (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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Germ Theory: Medical Pioneers in Infectious Diseases,
SECOND EDITION

From the ancient worlds of Hippocrates and Avicenna to the early 20th century hospitals of Paul Ehrlich and Lillian Wald to the modern-day laboratories of François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, Germ Theory brings to life the inspiring stories of medical pioneers whose work helped change the very fabric of our understanding of how we think about and treat infectious diseases.

In beautifully crafted narratives, author Robert Gaynes describes and presents compelling stories, including

  • How Edward Jenner, the pioneer of vaccination, faced down scores of naysayers
  • How a chance discovery led Louis Pasteur to the idea that the virulence of microbes can be altered
  • How scientists in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark produced penicillin during World War 2 while keeping their efforts hidden from the Nazis

The second edition features three new chapters based on interviews with Nobel Laureates François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, and former NIAID Director and medical advisor to seven U.S. presidents Anthony Fauci, detailing fascinating accounts from their careers, including their groundbreaking work in the areas of HIV, peptic ulcers, and COVID-19, respectively.

Winner of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award for its first edition, Germ Theory is required reading for anyone training or working in the field of infectious diseases or with an interest in microbes, the history of medicine, or how new discoveries can bring about paradigmatic shifts in thinking. Germ Theory, Second Edition was selected as a top community college title for December 2023 by CHOICE: The Top 75 Community College Titles: December 2023 - Choice 360

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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ASM Press
  4. Publication date
    April 11, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    168367376X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1683673767
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From the 1st edition:

Gaynes (Emory Univ. School of Medicine) presents a well-researched, inspiring narrative of the most important discoveries in the history of medical science. He weaves the origins of the germ theory of disease and the biographies of those who made significant discoveries together into intriguing, informative stories. The author provides vivid accounts of individuals such as van Leeuwenhoek, Jenner, Pasteur, Fleming, et al. who challenged the prevailing views of the times with their innovation and persistence, and highlights the struggles they encountered in the long processes of discovery. The book's 15 chapters are well written, thorough, and engaging, providing readers with a significant appreciation for the interplay of social, economic, and cultural forces, as well as good luck, which allowed for medical breakthroughs. This is an insightful book that serves as an excellent resource for understanding developments in medical history, how they evolved, and the details of their impact on all people. The volume includes references at the end of each chapter and an easy to use index.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty and physicians; medical students; general readers.

CHOICE Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Health Sciences

Vol. 49 No. 11

Reviewer: D.C. Anderson, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Review Date: July 2012

Reprinted with permission from CHOICE http://www.cro2.org, copyright by the American Library Association

From the Back Cover

Germ Theory: Medical Pioneers in Infectious Diseases,
SECOND EDITION

From the ancient worlds of Hippocrates and Avicenna to the early 20th century hospitals of Paul Ehrlich and Lillian Wald to the modern-day laboratories of François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, Germ Theory brings to life the inspiring stories of medical pioneers whose work helped change the very fabric of our understanding of how we think about and treat infectious diseases.

In beautifully crafted narratives, author Robert Gaynes describes and presents compelling stories, including

  • How Edward Jenner, the pioneer of vaccination, faced down scores of naysayers
  • How a chance discovery led Louis Pasteur to the idea that the virulence of microbes can be altered
  • How scientists in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark produced penicillin during World War 2 while keeping their efforts hidden from the Nazis

The second edition features three new chapters based on interviews with Nobel Laureates François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, and former NIAID Director and medical advisor to seven U.S. presidents Anthony Fauci, detailing fascinating accounts from their careers, including their groundbreaking work in the areas of HIV, peptic ulcers, and COVID-19, respectively.

Winner of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award for its first edition, Germ Theory is required reading for anyone training or working in the field of infectious diseases or with an interest in microbes, the history of medicine, or how new discoveries can bring about paradigmatic shifts in thinking.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ASM Press; 2nd edition (April 11, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168367376X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1683673767
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

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Robert P. Gaynes

Robert P. Gaynes

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
4 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

tru
5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd edition is superb
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
The second edition of Germ Theory expands on the first. The last three chapters in this edition contain background information on important scientists involved in the epidemiology of HIV, peptic ulcers, and COVID. I found the chapter on Dr. Fauci the most interesting, insightful, and current. With the advent of many new developments at the molecular level his years of working with various governmental administrations crossed all political views and honed in on the pathology and medical advances accepted by most in the US and the world. I strongly recommend reading this second edition, especially, if one hasn't read the first.
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Neil S. Pinzur
5.0 out of 5 stars Integrating geopolitical, technological and societal changes impacting the advancement of medicine
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
Germ Theory (2nd Edition) is an extremely well researched and documented historical thesis on medical history.  The first surprise is the detailed analysis integrating geopolitical, technological and societal changes and developments directly impacting the advancement of medicine over the centuries.  Specific examples include the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, Western European government responses to the bubonic plague, actions of Lillian Wald (a nurse) initiating the vast expansion of public health services during the 1890s and early 20th century, and Dr. Fauci's participation in HIV research and COVID-19 US government responses.  Further, do not be distracted by the preliminary assumption that Germ Theory should be limited to an audience of health care professionals.  Though at isolated times for non-health care professional readers (i.e., which I am one); the read requires additional resources; the read is well-worth the commitment; though you may at times want the assistance of a medical dictionary resource at your side.  The second surprise is written excerpts (and links to podcasts) from interviews that Dr. Gaynes completed with some of the 20th century - 21st century principals. Anxiously awaiting the 3rd edition; anticipating future chapters on genetic engineering advancing scientific understanding of the microbial world.  Enjoy the read -- well worth it!
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Sherry E. Gaynes
5.0 out of 5 stars Forward from Second Edition
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023
This second and considerably expanded edition of The Germ Theory of Disease by Robert Gaynes is an important and timely contribution. The germ theory is foundational to the scientific understanding of the microbial world and the threats it poses to our society and even our species. In this work the author has undertaken the ambitious task of tracing the origins, development, and impact of this idea across two and a half millennia. His sweeping, panoramic study ranges from ancient Greece to the present. Today we find ourselves in the precarious position of being subject to increasingly numerous zoonotic pathogens, as the ever-lengthening list of emerging and re-emerging diseases from Avian flu to Zika via Ebola and Covid-19 reminds us. Especially in this context, Germ Theory provides a compelling account of how medicine has evolved – and is still evolving -- in its understanding of infectious diseases and the tools it deploys to control them.

The organizational approach of the study is biographical. Each of the book’s eighteen chapters explores the role of a key figure in understanding the role of microorganisms as causes of disease and promoting an array of strategies to combat them – vaccination, sanitation, public health, antibiotics. The figures, including Edward Jenner, Louis Pasteur, and Anthony Fauci, are well known. But in each case Gaynes has skillfully deepened our understanding of the process of scientific discovery and of the difficulties confronting those who propose innovative and unorthodox ideas. Scientists, physicians, historians, and other specialists will find original and illuminating material here, including the author’s interviews with a number of the recent protagonists of the narrative. At the same time, however, the biographical approach humanizes the subject matter and helps to make complex scientific concepts accessible to the general reader new to the field. The author succeeds throughout in conveying the excitement and importance of the topic while avoiding jargon and obscurity. He also eschews any sense of linear triumphalism, carefully choosing instead to present the challenges and the dangers of the present with sobering clarity. Extremely well written and presented with the authority of an author who is himself a leading medical scientist, this work deserves a wide readership.

Frank Snowden, PhD
Andrew Downey Orrick Professor Emeritus of History, Yale University
former Chair, Program in History of Science and History of Medicine,
Yale University
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