Louis Pasteur and the Hidden World of Microbes

Oxford Portraits in Science

by Louise E. Robbins

Chronicling Louis Pasteur's rise from humble beginnings to international fame, Louis Pasteur and the Hidden World of Microbes investigates the complex life of a man who revolutionized our understanding of disease. Alongside Pasteur's pioneering work with microorganisms, his innovative use of heat to kill harmful organisms in food--a process now known as "pasteurization"--and his development of the rabies vaccine, Louise Robbins places Pasteur in the context of his risky scientific methods and his rigid family and political beliefs. Robbins's reveals a man of genius with sometimes troubling convictions. Louis Pasteur and the Hidden World of Microbes is a fascinating look at one of the most important scientific minds of the last two centuries.

Oxford Portraits in Science is an on-going series of scientific biographies for young adults. Written by top scholars and writers, each biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his or her discoveries. These illustrated biographies combine accessible technical information with compelling personal stories to portray the scientists whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world.

Genres: Science, Biography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2001

Reviews

[Raúl Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historiography presented in this book about Louis Pasteur's biography, it's a fine work. Presents numerous equally balanced opinions about his life and actions, providing a well documented context and rich anecdotes and histories about his work and lifestyle. Sometimes, the structure of the text is repetitive but never boring, the science of his investigations its explained adequately. It made me cry at the penultimate chapter referring to the dawn of his life, specifically with the cited quotes. Recommended.

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breve biografía de Pasteur en la que no solo se habla de la pasteurización, sino que nos cuentan sus muchas otras investigaciones y descubrimientos acerca de la quiralidad molecular, el punto final a nada menos que la generación espontánea de vida, con unos cuantos experimentos muy bien diseñados, el ántrax, la rabia... Pasteur fue un fuera de serie pero creo que permanece entre los desconocidos de la ciencia. Muy interesante biografía.