Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure

"Who knew the biography of a germ could be so fascinating?”—Kirkus (starred review)

This is the story of a killer that has been striking people down for thousands of years: tuberculosis. After centuries of ineffective treatments, the microorganism that causes TB was identified and the cure was thought to be within reach—but drug-resistant varieties continue to plague and panic the human race.

The "biography" of this deadly germ and the social history of an illness that could strike anywhere are woven together in an engrossing, carefully researched narrative. Includes a bibliography, source notes, and index.

This medical detective story 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.

A Junior Literary Guild Selection * A Booklist Top 10 Science and Health Books for Youth

Jim Murphy's nonfiction books have received numerous awards, among them two Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, three Orbis Pictus awards, the Margaret A. Edwards award, the James Madison Book Award, and a National Book Award nomination. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jim lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his family. 
jimmurphybooks.com.

Alison Blank is a children’s book author and TV producer. She has cowritten two nonfiction books, Invincible Microbe and Banished to Paradise, with her husband, award-winning author Jim Murphy. They live with their two sons in Maplewood, New Jersey.