Product Description

His goal—to prevent every disease that commonly attacked children—was unattainable. But Maurice Hilleman came close.

Maurice Hilleman is the father of modern vaccines. Chief among his accomplishments are nine vaccines that practically every child gets, rendering formerly deadly diseases—including mumps, rubella, and measles—nearly forgotten. Author Paul A. Offit's rich and lively narrative details Hilleman's research and experiences as the basis for a larger exploration of the development of vaccines, covering two hundred years of medical history and traveling across the globe in the process. The history of vaccines necessarily brings with it a cautionary message, as they have come under assault from those insisting they do more harm than good. Paul Offit clearly and compellingly rebuts these arguments, and, by demonstrating how much the work of Hilleman and others has gained for humanity, shows us how much we have to lose.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #103953 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-01
• Released on: 2008-08-05
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Maurice Hilleman's name isn't well known, and according to infectious disease expert Offit's riveting biography, that is both a shame and a blessing. It's a shame because the outspoken, brilliant, yet humble scientist from Montana invented vaccines that all but wiped out a number of infectious diseases. Thanks to his genius, such diseases as mumps, rubella, measles, and hepatitis A and B no longer claim millions of lives, mostly children's. He merits greater recognition. His obscurity is a blessing because it prevents more people from using his name in vain, for Hilleman's vaccines have recently become increasingly controversial and their efficacy clouded by questions about adverse side effects. Still, Offit pulls no punches in defending Hilleman against those who would crucify him for combining measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines into one shot and for the choice to add thimerosal to extend the shelf life of all vaccines. Despite the fact that Offit's bias on behalf of public health shows, the book is a powerful examination of the kind of single-minded determination it takes to tackle diseases that threaten the world's children. And to do so without bravado—no vaccine bears Hilleman's name, no awards his mantle—is to define what it is to be simply heroic. Chavez, Donna

Review
"This extraordinarily fine, well-researched, and beautifully written book deserves the widest possible readership. More physicians should write this well." (Choice magazine )

About the Author

Paul A. Offit, MD, is the chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania medical school. He co-developed a vaccine for rotavirus.

Customer Reviews

Engaging down-to-earth history of vaccination through a remarkble man's life story by a top expert in the field
The book is written by a top expert in the field who also developed one of the latest vaccine. And Dr.Offit's writing style is very engaging and yet succint and straight. I am from an engineering background, and I valued the content-to-word ratio(how dense is the content). And Dr.Offit's book beats my yardstick to the ground. It is content heavy yet very engaging. Also Dr.Hilleman's life story spearks for itself too. Salute to Dr. Offit for letting Dr.Hilleman's achievement recognized by more people. Highly recommend.

A visit to a different world... the US 60 years ago
I love this book. I appreciate the realistic portrayal of Maurice Hilleman and his contemporaries, and how realistic the portrayal of the way vaccines were created in the 1950's, including the fact that the scientists tested out the vaccines on themselves and their families. I think I will always remember the pictures of Hilleman's daughters including the one who had been the host of the mumps virus that her father turned into a vaccine for mumps. It is officially called the Jeryl Lynn mumps strain even today. Hilleman encouraged his daughters to study science.

I also like Dr. Offit's style of writing.

Engaging, Entertaining, and Educational
Many diseases of old have become so rare that people now often fear the vaccine more than the disease itself. This book gives a window into what life was like before the introduction of vaccines as well as the challenges involved in creating them. The book also provides an interesting contrast in terms of how vaccines are developed today versus yesteryear.

While I often speed read books, Offit has an engaging style that kept my eyes glued to every page. If you have interest in history or medicine or just are looking for a book to entertain and educate you, I can highly recommend Vaccinated.