WHAT'S A GERM, JOSEPH LISTER?

A biography of Joseph Lister focused on his advancements in antiseptic medicine.

Joseph Lister lived at a time when hospitals were dirty places and surgery was a brutal affair that frequently ended in death from hospital-born infections. Yet young Joseph was fascinated by how bodies worked, and he grew up to become a surgeon who tackled the mystery of why so many people died after surgeries. He systematically studied the role of inflammation in healing and—inspired by the work of Louis Pasteur—tested the theory that the infectious agent was microscopic. His story is told in clear, easy-to-read text; the clean prose is especially helpful when showing how he used the scientific method to refine his understanding. The curiosity that drove Joseph powers the mystery of the book and makes him a relatable, admirable figure. The text is broken up with illustrations, some full-page and many more in spotlight format. The use of sidebars and additional context from other scientific minds working on germ theory stumbles only in the conclusion of a brief discussion of Ignaz Semmelweis (“With his research ignored, Semmelweis went mad and eventually died in a mental institution”), which oversimplifies and uses othering language. Extensive backmatter includes relevant photographs and images, a timeline, a glossary, source notes by chapter, a bibliography, and an index. Final art unseen.

A compelling read sure to inspire young minds.