INVINCIBLE MICROBE
Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure

ISBN-10: 0618535748
ISBN-13: 978-0618535743
Clarion Books
July 2012

This is the story of one of the world's greatest serial killer that has been striking for thousands of years. After centuries of ineffective treatments, when the microorganism that causes TB was finally identified, the cure was thought to be within reach. However, drug-resistant varieties continue to plague the human race to this day.

Part medical detective story and part "biography" of a germ, this is also a social history of a disease that has known no social bounds. Treatment that began long ago as bloodletting, and the 'healing' touch of a king, centuries later grew into a worldwide sanatorium movement for children and adults. Long considered a romantic illness amongst artists and poets, treatment was often unavailable to poor and minorities. In the end, the effort to combat TB spurred the development of public health in America and, along with HIV and Malaria, the effort to fight for global health around the world.

Common Core Connections:
http://bookends.booklistonline.com/2012/09/10/invincible-microbe-by-jim-murphy/

Booklist (starred): "Wide ranging in breadth, yet always well focused on the topic at hand, this fascinating book offers a sharply detailed picture of tuberculosis throughout history."

Kirkus Reviews (starred): "The broad focus allows it to be about many things: medical discovery, technology, art and how people from all walks of life have dealt with a deadly disease that pays no attention to social distinctions. Who knew a biography of a germ could be so fascinating?"

School Library Journal (starred):

Horn Book: "Engaging."

The Wall Street Journal: "Superb."

Richie Partington (*****): "Startling and well researched."

Booklist Blog: "This slim book...is a treasure chest for curriculum integration with more Common Core connections than we can possibly list.  It is accessible for middle schoolers yet written with enough depth to generate lengthy discussion in high school classes as well.  The source material is outstanding and…the annotated bibliography and source notes…[are] of great interest and value. This is a MUST for school and public library collections."

Voya: "This is a solid and timely addition to nonfiction resources on sickness and humawn history."

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