Rarely, if ever, have I been so disappointed in a book. After looking over the astounding reviews, I was expecting something superb. This book is extremely offensive on every level, beginning with the literary one and going on from there. It is absolute hogwash and has just about zero literary merit. I also cannot believe the high reviews it consistently gets. It's got to be a childhood thing with nostalgia, etc. In fact, if a young child were a fair reader, he might find some merit in it; but I would not recommend it for a child as the content is offensive to just about every group of people (i.e., racism, prejudice, illogic, the list is endless). Wow, I wonder how those other people could have read the same book I did. The degrading manner in which he referred to various different races should have this book banished forever. ( )

The classic and immensely popular account of the early explorers of microbiology. The chapter length vignettes of Leeuwenhoek, Spallazani, Redi, Pastuer (who rates two chapters), Koch, and others have a strong narrative based on the remarkable characters who opened the field at a time when both science and the scientific method itself were being shaped. I particularly treasure the excitement that the stories provide and the accounts of both successes and failures. Who has not marveled at the diligence and care of Leeuwenhoek in making his observations, or the battles that Spallazani fought over whether microbes had parents --- dealing with the "theory" of spontaneous generation. I particluarly marvel at the Pastuer whose failures (almost destroying the silk worm industry while trying to save it) are almost as spectacular as his successes, such as the rabies vaccine. My copy of this book is falling apart, likely purchased from the Scholastic Book Service in the mid 60s for 35 or 45 cents, as entertaining and inspiring as when I first read it: science as an exciting hunt for truth and even glory, and scientists, fumbling at times, yet engaged on what was clearly an engaging enterprise. An excellent read. ( )