Hunger Fighters

by Paul de Kruif

1928. This book contains eleven essays relating to the fight against hunger and the people responsible behind this movement. wheat dreamer, Carleton; wheat finders, Mackay and others more eminent; scientific Bolshevik, Dorset; man for fundamentals, Mohler; automatic man, Francis; maize finders, ancient and anonymous; maize breeder, Shull; new soil from old, Hoffer; Hidden finder of the hidden hunger, Babcock; sun trapper, Steenbock; soft spoken desperado, Goldberger.

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Paul Henry de Kruif was an American microbiologist and author of Dutch descent. Publishing as Paul de Kruif, he is most noted for his 1926 book, Microbe Hunters. This book was not only a bestseller for a lengthy period after publication, it has remained high on lists of recommended reading for science and has been an inspiration for many aspiring physicians and scientists.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree (1912) and remained to obtain a Ph.D. (1916). He immediately entered service as a Private in Mexico on the Pancho Villa Expedition and afterwards served as a Lieutenant and a Captain in World War I in France. Because of his service in the Sanitary Corps, he had occasional contacts with leading French biologists of the period.

After returning to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor, De Kruif briefly worked for the Rockefeller Institute (for Medical Research). He then became a full-time writer.
De Kruif assisted Sinclair Lewis with his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Arrowsmith (1925) by providing the scientific and medical information required by the plot, along with character sketches. Even though Lewis was listed as the sole author, De Kruif's contribution was significant, and he received 25 percent of the royalties. Many believe the characters in the novel represent people known to De Kruif, with Martin Arrowsmith (a physician, unlike de Kruif) possibly representing himself.
Some of his writings created problems for him. Some essays written while working for the Rockefeller Institute led to his dismissal. Ronald Ross, one of the scientists featured in Microbe Hunters, took exception to how he was described, so the British edition deleted that chapter to avoid a libel suit.
De Kruif was a staff writer for the Ladies' Home Journal, Country Gentleman, and the Readers Digest, contributing articles on Science and Medicine. He also served on commissions to promote research into Infantile Paralysis.
The Sweeping Wind, his last book, is his autobiography.

Reviews

[Robin Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul de Kruif's enthusaism here becomes overwrought and breathless. I enjoyed this read, but after his Microbe Hunters, the quality does not match, and it feels as though he has lost his measure. Still, if you have an interest in the history of science and in the obscure lives of heroes who fought and indeed suffered for our changes in food production and the understanding of nutrition, read this book. Nowhere else will you find as dramatic a presentation of these unsung, sometimes tragic figures. The author's heart is in this book; alas that it lacks discipline in the writing.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually didn't quite finish this book since I had to return it to the library. The author has a very interesting and engaging style of writing. I own his book called "microbe Hunters" which I've read several times and thoroughly enjoyed, so I wanted to check out another of his books. This one didn't grab me quite as much as the other, but he really has a way of making a potentially textbook-dry subject into a fascinating exploration of discovery.

[Oma Eagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the 1928 hardback