Health & Wellbeing
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Mankind vs Microbes is part memoir, part history lesson in microbiology and infectious diseases. It is a compelling story written by one of the world's leading clinical microbiologists.
Born in a poverty-stricken part of Pakistan, the author shares his personal life experience of infectious diseases, from Cholera to Covid, which he and his family members contracted during their lives.
Despite his impoverished background, he pursues his dream of becoming a doctor. The book follows his journey through many struggles in his early life as he beats the odds to become a clinical microbiologist working across three continents and ultimately becoming one of the world's leading experts in infection prevention and control.
Alongside the remarkable life story, the origins of each disease are explored utilising historical context and captivating accounts about the individuals who first fought against them. Scientific achievements and advances in infection prevention are presented in a succinct and engaging manner. The unique format allows the reader to dip in and out of any section, revealing fascinating facts about one man's lifetime commitment to fighting infections and highlighting how microbes have disrupted our lives since the dawn of mankind.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Wonderful read. The advertised summary is a very accurate representation of this book. It certainly could be dipped into but many will find the story so engaging that the book will be absorbed in one or two sittings. It has universal appeal with some heart rending tales of setbacks in the author's life, to detail of how he managed these challenges. He relates how his ingenuous approach to a classroom bully proved highly effective but sadly required his intellectual underperformance to achieve this success. His ability to face up to the prejudice that continually approached him and negotiate round it with his skill and philosophy is admirably displayed. Independent of his own personal story he brings the world of microbial disease into sharp focus as it affects family and friends. The lay readership will find much of interest but the detail will also interest anyone within the broader medical community. The continual need for Amazon to refresh their stocks is already a testament to the success of this book. Knowing that the proceeds of this book will go to charities involving education for women and improving health in developing countries, the only query to address now is why have you not ordered it yet?
found this book amazing and what Dr Damani had to say fascinating. Not only does the book discuss the life of a great clinical microbiologist and public health figure, it adeptly and clearly explains some of the major infectious diseases that have afflicted mankind. Dr. Damani uses his biography as a doorway to enter into discussions of the diseases. I loved the plain language and conversational tone. All the science is very well explained. Dr Damani also tells great stories and some of his anecdotes were quite humorous. He also used a selection of quotes to add texture to the story. Overall I found this book well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and Troubador for the advance reader copy.
I love reading books about diseases. They're often at least as exciting as most spy thrillers. This one was unique in that the author, an important public health figure, tells stories and gives information about several relevant diseases in relation to his own personal life experiences. Dr. Damani is truly an inspiration, taking chances and achieving his goals through unimaginable hardships. Even while struggling to find a way to become a doctor, he shows empathy for those suffering around him and gratitude for everyone who helped him. There are several diseases Dr Damani covers in this book, which is well organized and easy to read. Additional information on a topic is weaved into the story in clearly written little subsections. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in biography, medicine, disease, and mystery, as there are also explanations as to how scientists track disease origins. Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this.
