Aspirin: The Remarkable Story of a Wonder Drug

by Diarmuid Jeffreys

Diarmuid Jeffreys traces the story of aspirin from the drug's origins in ancient Egypt, through its industrial development at the end of the nineteenth century and its key role in the great flu pandemic of 1918, to its subsequent exploitation by the pharmaceutical conglomerates and the marvelous powers still being discovered today.

Genres: Science, History, Nonfiction, Medicine, Medical, Microhistory, Health

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Haya · Rating 4 out of 5]

لطيف وممتع ،اسلوب كأنه قصصي ويتناول الظروف التي انبثق فيها حمض الساليساليك الاستيلي (الاسبرين)،من وقت الفراعنة إلى امتلاك شركة باير الالمانية حق براءة اختراعه ثم انتزاعه منها ومقاضاتها ،وذكر بعض تفاصيل المحرقة النازية وعلاقتها باتحاد الشركات الكيميائية الالمانية ،وبالطبع ذكر العديد والعديد من العلماء والباحثين الضالعين بمهمة اكتشاف هذا الدواء العجيب الذي يتميز بكثرة استخداماته وقلة أعراضه الجانبية ما يكسبه شهرة قلما يتميز بها دواء ،وكم الصعوبات والتحديات التي واجهتهم ليتوصلوا إلى نتائج وحقائق نراها وندرسها كشيء بسيط بدون ان أن ندرك الجهد المبذول لأجل اكتشاف واستنباط كل مركب، وستكتشف كم النزاعات والصراعات بين الشركات المصنعة والسباقات المحمومة لمبيعات أكثر ..أنصح المهتمين بالادوية بهذا الكتاب ،كما انصح غير المهتمين كونه ممتع ولطيف ولا يحتاج لمعرفة عميقة بالتخصص ، سترى حقيقة ان الادوية منتجات تجارية بحتة لا أكثر ولا أقل .

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was interesting and covered a huge amount of information without being terribly confusing. You had to pay attention to it, but it was really interesting. Everyone who was around be for the two months I was reading this book heard all about how much I liked it -- and now, several months later, I still am just as excited about it! There are some parts that were a little slow and a little more complex, but it never stopped being interesting.

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of aspirin, from Ancient Egypt to the present. One of the most disturbing facts in this well-researched book was the extent to which the German pharmaceutical companies supported and subsidized the Nazi regime.

[Michelle N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and written. I found he explained the more technical and scientific information well enough for a layperson to understand. Insightful in terms of historical context and fascinating to think that all of Aspirin's potential benefits have not been fully discovered yet.

[Yazeed AlMogren · Rating 4 out of 5]

يعتبر هذا الكتاب مرجع علمي لقصة نشوء وإبتكار عقار الإسبرين وصراع شركات الأدوية الكبيرة على الترويج لمنتجاتها من المسكنات، الكتاب مفيد جدًا فمن أراد الحصول على معلومة عن الإسبرين لغرض البحث العلمي، لا أملك معلومة عن ديانة الكاتب أو جنسيته وتوجهاته ولكن لاحظت بأنه كان متحيزًا لليهود وماحصل لهم في الحرب العالمية الثانية بشكل مبالغ به

[Tim Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first section is pure science, which is great. But then the science gets caught up in commerce, litigation, politics and WWI. This is the reality of the pharmaceutical business, but I wanted to focus on the science. There are no pictures, which seems a curious omission.

A sound book, worthy of four stars, but not the book I wanted.

[Erik Streed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more things change, the more they stay the same in the drug industry. Knockoff drugs and patent issues have been a problem for over 100 years. The end of the book had a bit of hucksterism in spouting off all the things aspirin might be able to cure (cancer, dementia, etc.)

[David R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffreys does a wonderful job tracing the history of the wonder drug Aspirin especially through the analgesic wars of the 20th century and the final understanding of how it works in the body. Every chapter is fascinating. I think this will be of interest to many different types of readers.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to read this book as it was kind of hard to get into (and also because I couldn't read and study at the same time). When I ddi finally start to get interested in the content after about two chapters the story of Aspirin became an intriguing story indeed.

From its initial discovery by chance in the 1800's and then the subsequent problems with making it a less harsh molecule when in the stomach, the story was very interesting and grabbed my full attention. The story continued on then with how aspirin was marketed initially and then to its role in creating funds which were used by the Nazi party in WW2. It followed on then to the later years of the 20th century and the more recent research and uses found for this seemingly wonder/ all purpose drug!

The story of aspirin is truly amazing in many parts and its involvement in so many peoples lives from the day of its discovery to the present is really interesting. I recommend this book for anyone who is fond of reading popular science and enjoys a bit of history from a different perspective.

The only negative and the reason it lost a star is because it took a while for the story to make sense and also I believe the author was slightly bias towards the benefits of aspirin than he was to the possible negative effects and disproved experiments that were conducted in relation to this drug.

But well done and really enjoyed it.

[Abdullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

يصف الكتاب رحلة عقار الأسبرين ويُبحر في بداياته والكثير من تفاصيل مراحل تطوّره والمقالات العلمية التي كُتبت فيه. أيضًا يركّز الكتاب على أهم الفترات التي مرّ بها الأسبرين مثل الإنفلونزا القاتلة في عامي 1918 و 1919، والحربين العالميتين، وأثر تلك الفترات على الأسبرين والضغوطات التي واجهها هذا العقار. بالإضافة إلى تطرّقه للشركات المنتجة له والنزاعات والمحاكمات القضائية التي حدثت لأجله. والأعراض الجانبية له وعلاقته بالنوبات القلبية والسكتات الدماغية وإسهامه فيها. أيضًا ولادة عقار الباندول في منتصف القرن العشرين وعلاقته به.

من أفضل فصول الكتاب هو الفصل السابع بعنوان " الحضارة قد تندثر.." والذي يتحدث عن أحداث الإنفلونزا القاتلة في عامي 1918 و 1919، والتي أودت بحياة عشرات الملايين من البشر في العالم. طريقة السرد في هذا الفصل كانت ممتازة بوصف تلك الحقبة المريعة في تاريخ البشرية، وكيف كان دور الأسبرين فيها. قرأت الكتاب قراءة سريعة، واضطررت تخطي بعض الصفحات لما تحتويه من معادلات وتفاعلات كيميائية ليست من اختصاصي ولا تهمني. أحسست بالملل قليلًا في بعض أرجائه وهذا لايعني أنه ملل، بل لأني لا أميل كثيرًا للكتب الطبية. لكني لا أنكر أني استفدت من قراءتي له وتعرفت على العديد من الأمور التي تتعلق بهذا العقار ونشأته. بعد انتهائي من قراءة الكتاب أهديته لشخص أعرف أنه سيستفيد منه بحكم اختصاصه، وأتمنى أن ينال على استحسانه.

[Fernando del Alamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es una gozada para quien guste de la historia de la farmacología o de la química. Se trata de la historia de la aspirina. Desde la invención, pasando por las empresas a las que contribuyó a enriquecer y que posteriormente derivaría en Bayer. Habla de los planes de marketing, de los problemas de las patentes, del problema de las guerras, etc. Sorprendentemente, uno de los altos directivos al que metieron en la cárcel unos años por pasar productos químicos a los nazis, posteriormente fue director de la Bayer. Para que te fíes de que los jefes son grandes personas. Por cierto: Bayer todavía no ha pedido perdón por nada de su pasado.

También habla de personajes que contribuyeron a su creación y que fueron tachados de la historia por los nazis hasta que un historiador encontró documentos de cierto interesante personaje.

También habla de su funcionamiento, de cómo se descubrió, de los experientos que se hicieron y de lo que parece que hoy dicen que previene infartos.

Lo dicho, para los amantes de la historia de la farmacología.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffreys does an excellent job of tracing the development of this modern wonder drug and making it accessible to the average reader. While medically and scientifically complex, Aspirin, proved that simple trial and error of the old ways developed modern medicines. Long before the days of clinical trials physicians trusted their instincts and networked together to bring about medicines. Would Aspirin pass an FDA trial today? Doubtful given the stringent requirements but as this book traces through its history we can see the benefits of trying the drug. Part business history, part history of technology, and part social history Jeffrey's thoroughly researched work provides us with the accurate account of how this drug came about. The author points out that he is not a clinician and tries to stick to the historical facts doing an excellent job the entire way through. Overall very well done and an interesting book for those interested in the history of medical technology and science.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sometimes wonder why I read books like this. I slogged through the first part of this book very slowly, and often forgot names and dates. The book did get more interesting while talking about Bayer’s connections with IG Farben and the Nazis. Without the lucrative aspirin sales that spiked after WWI, IG Farben wouldn’t have had the huge sums of money to donate to the Nazi party and things may have turned out differently. An IG Farben lead “scientist” was also convicted of war crimes for some pretty despicable things during the holocaust, and upon his release from jail went on to become the head of Bayer. It is an interesting look at the pharmaceutical world, branding, generics, and marketing. You may not look at the rows and rows of OTC drugs in the same way again. I know I won’t.

[Rosianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I should start by saying that I am no way a Science-y person. As in, I look at Science related things and weep inside. As in, I cannot think of anything more horrific than looking at a chemical equation.
However, the wonderful thing about Aspirin is that it's actually more of a biography than a Science book and only the third part is riddled with things that fly over my head and leave me a little silly feeling. It's fascinating stuff involving patent battles, Nazis and even Lydia E Pinkham, the woman who Lily the Pink is about (the one with the medicinal compound, efficacious in every way!). If you're open to reading different things, this is certainly a good one.

[Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffreys does a good job of explaining the history of Aspirin from ancient times to the modern world, he introduces scientific concepts with clarity and accessible to everybody. I really like this book, it covered a wide range of topics, from history to chemistry to advertisement without being confusing. The history of Aspirin is the history of Pharma industry with all its pros and cons. It’s a business after all not an ONG. Great reading.

[Eileen Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book about a substance that has been used since antiquity, yet is still being discovered. Covers the history, science and use of aspirin and briefly covers some other pain relievers. I recommend this book for anyone who likes history or science.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the seemingly dull history of aspirin. Its engaging, witty, and very interesting.

[Àthèér Mârãe · Rating 5 out of 5]

ممتع للقراءة

[Saket Saurabh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Provides lots of insight into clinical as well as commercial side of pharma.

[Willow Rankin · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this detailed and well research book into the history of aspirin; it covers the very beginnings from Ancient Egypt to the present.
Fascinatingly - it touched upon research, that would of required a lot of work and due diligence to ensure the whole story was captured.
One of the most disturbing facts captured was the extent to which the German pharmaceutical companies supported and subsidized the Nazi regime, and the fact that one of the key scientists involved in the research (a Jew - who was persecuted by the Nazi's) is still not given much kudos for his play in the invention and involvement in the creation of the drug.
However, the book gets repetitive quite quickly, and I found the writing style not as engaging as I would of liked.
Further, whilst the book is now quite old (or at least the edition I read) their is a final chapter on the future uses of aspirin; which feels like a very simplistic and not well researched (especially in the view point of the food we eat and the affect of the naturally occurring active ingredient of aspirin being diminished) take on the wonder drug that is aspirin.

[hoji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not just about aspirin, it is about the development of chemistry and medicines. The book starts from ancient times to the Industrial Revolution when chemists started producing dyes. The book also delves into science such as chemical formulas and properties. In fact, the story of aspirin is truly amazing in many parts and its involvement in so many people's lives from the day of its discovery to the present is really interesting. The most exciting part was the aspirin's impact on the collapse of the Russian empire. I am interested in learning more about medicine's history. Nice book to read if you are interested in science and medicine.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read! The author starts all the way back with the discovery of an ancient Egyptian medical papyrus and an English minister's discoveries about the helpful properties of willow bark, and takes us all over the world following aspirin's remarkable and unlikely story arc. I learned a little about everything from biochemistry and patent law to the origin of the word "junkie" to describe a heroin addict. Packed with interesting stuff. Well-wrotten, too. Highly recommended.

[William Loveless · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a something we all take for granted. Interwoven through hundreds (really thousands) of years of history. You could give this book to your teenage child as a simple primer on world history; that's how interesting and important the discovery and subsequent battle to create a consumable aspirin pill is.

[Sehrish Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a great mosaic of people, places and events that combined to give us one of the most remarkable inventions in history; something with few equivalents in the annals of medical science. A story of wars, epidemics, espionage, and so much more!

[Carrie Varnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly fascinating.

[Jon McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard work, took 2 years cover to cover, but was fascinating!

[DaniPhantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so interesting! Not only does this dive into HOW aspirin was made, but also the historical elements and politics that were going on at the time of the progression of the drug.

[Lorenz Klopfenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffreys digs through the history of the world famous Aspirin pill telling the story of several interesting characters, from a shady archeology trader, to the english Reverend Stone and several business men and chemists before and after the Great War. The book is a very interesting read of the history of the drug through a series of entertaining facts and anecdotes (which might not be entirely true perhaps, but are excellent material for any dinner with friends), from the original discovery of the drug, to the advertising wars and the trademarking of "Aspirin" by Bayer.
Strongly suggested, if not else just to know a bit more about this wonderful drug.

"Aspirin has become a drug for everyman, a treatment so inexpensive and so broadly useful that it is hard to imagine what we should do without it. There are few products of human ingenuity about which that can be said."

[ٻـاسمٻنـۃ · Rating 4 out of 5]

من أجمل ما قرأت لهذا العام لو وجدت النسخة الورقية فلن أتردد في شرائها، فهذا كتاب أقل ما يقال عنه أنه رائع.

كتاب عن حمض الساليسليك الأسيتيلي أو ما يعرف عند العامة بالأسبرين ذلك المنتج الألماني الذي شق طريقه عبر الزمن، في طابع سردي قصصي يأخذنا الكتاب في رحلة عبر التاريخ نقف عند الأحداث والشخصيات التي مهدت لظهور الأسبرين ووصوله إلينا. بداية من المخطوط الفرعوني الذي عثر عليه إلى الراهب والطعم المر للحاء الصفصاف وصولا إلى شركة باير وإختيارها لإسم الأسبرين الذي ذاع صيته في أرجاء المعمورة وكيف أثرت الحروب العالمية الاولى والثانية على مسار الدواء الجديد ومحاولات الإستحواذ على براءة الإختراع وصمود تسمية الأسبرين أمام كل الأسماء الأخرى وانتشار الحمى الإسبانية التي تشبه كثيرا ما نعايشه اليوم مع فايروس كورونا....

[Ralphz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes a look at the little wonder pill that has proved itself again and again as the world's most successful drug.

Starting who knows when as someone first chewed a willow leaf and found it eased pain until it became a much-maligned pharmaceutical, this is an interesting story to be told.

It involves long, hard and ignored research, rivalries and victories. Wrapped up in the story is industrialism, World War I, advertising and Nazis!

Also in the story is the growth of ibuprofen and acetomenophen, and the recovery of aspirin as a heart drug. As the story ends, the hope is held out of using aspirin for cancer and other uses.