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In Search of the Animalcule
When he is born in 1847 Vienna, Jacob Pfleger shares just two days with his mother, a female obstetrician who dies, like thousands of other women around the world, of the mysterious childbed fever. Because his birth father wants nothing to do with him, Jacob is placed in an orphanage. His mother’s dying wish is that he will grow up with resilience and independence.
As Jacob matures into a precocious twelve-year-old, he is told about the legacy of his mother by her colleague, Ignaz Semmelweis, and learns that his father is a winemaker in Lille, France. Determined to find his father and his destiny, Jacob embarks on a quest to locate him. When he arrives in France, Jacob is introduced to Louis Pasteur who is working with is father to determine why the wines of France are spoiling. As he is led on an intense scientific journey, Jacob eventually also works with Joseph Lister and Robert Koch, participating in the great discoveries of the era that uncover the animalcules, the bacteria, that have caused global disease and death. Later Jacob studies to become a doctor under the mentorship of Sir William Osler at Johns Hopkins.
In this amazing story that captures the real lives and work of the great scientists of the time, an orphan assists in shocking discoveries that change the worlds understanding of disease and uncovers the field of infectious disease.
As Jacob matures into a precocious twelve-year-old, he is told about the legacy of his mother by her colleague, Ignaz Semmelweis, and learns that his father is a winemaker in Lille, France. Determined to find his father and his destiny, Jacob embarks on a quest to locate him. When he arrives in France, Jacob is introduced to Louis Pasteur who is working with is father to determine why the wines of France are spoiling. As he is led on an intense scientific journey, Jacob eventually also works with Joseph Lister and Robert Koch, participating in the great discoveries of the era that uncover the animalcules, the bacteria, that have caused global disease and death. Later Jacob studies to become a doctor under the mentorship of Sir William Osler at Johns Hopkins.
In this amazing story that captures the real lives and work of the great scientists of the time, an orphan assists in shocking discoveries that change the worlds understanding of disease and uncovers the field of infectious disease.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 20, 2023
Steven L. Berk, M.D.’s novel, In Search of the Animalcule, employs the perspective of an imaginary character, Jacob Pfleger, as a storyteller to explore the rich history of bacteriology.
His narrative is an inspirational and motivating demonstration of how one can triumph over hardship and prevail despite obstacles.
It confirms and strikingly illustrates how cutting-edge discoveries can revolutionize our environment.
We accompany Jacob from his time at the Vienna Foundling Home after his mother, an obstetrician, passed away from “childbed fever” - a bacterial infection that caused high mortality rates in women after childbirth. Jacob had been alive for two days when his mother died. His dad, a French wine merchant, knew of his mother’s pregnancy but abandoned her and Jacob before he was born.
Jacob exposes a tantalizing hint in the opening chapters that his birth in 1848 and his mother’s death would ignite a chain of events that would revolutionize the world forever. He states, “one might say that my birth and her death set in place events that would change the world forever. My mother’s death would disclose a horrible secret and change the lives of men, women, and children over the coming centuries.”
As we uncover more into the story, we discover the remarkable secret that his mother kept - a secret that would unlock the solution to a lethal disease that had bedevilled women for centuries.
His mother had been a colleague of the Hungarian obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis, who realized the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regrettably, Semmelweis met with extreme scepticism as the medical community resisted change. Many hypothesized that the spread of disease was due to foul air.
In 1859, when Jacob was twelve and living in the orphanage, Doctors Ignaz Semmelweis and Ferdinand von Hebra came to call. They were keeping a commitment they had made to his mother. It was from these two physicians that Jacob learned the painful realities about his mother’s passing after birthing him.
His mom was one of the first to recognize doctors’ lack of attention to cleaning their hands. This caused the needless deaths of countless women because of the spread of deadly particles during delivery. For Jacob, this discovery gave his life a newfound direction, spurring him to preserve his mother’s legacy and strive to instate vital hygiene protocols that would save countless lives. He was convinced that his destiny was to use science to combat animalcules, bacteria, microbes, or whatever may eventually be known.
As we track Jacob on his journey, we realize such leaps forward as the public health repercussions of pasteurization, the end of the spontaneous generation myth, the importance of antisepsis and infection control, and the Koch work to affirm that bacteria caused specific diseases. We also gain knowledge about his work with Louis Pasteur, the French scientist who showed the relationship between microorganisms and disease, and Robert Koch, who established the bacteria theory of disease.
We learn about the British surgeon Jacob Lister, who was a pioneer in antiseptic surgery; And William Osler, an iconic figure in the annals of modern medicine and is renowned for his dedication to medical education and performing clinical medicine. Osler was the author of the famous textbook, The Principles of Medicine, which is still seen as a benchmark in the field. (My father graduated in medicine from McGill University in 1925, and among the books he left behind was a copy of Dr Osler’s book). Interestingly, Dr Osler was a professor at McGill in the early 1900s before relocating to the United States.
Dr. Berk's use of an imaginary protagonist makes the history of bacteriology more understandable and pertinent to readers. This approach animates the development of this essential field, deepening readers’ understanding of microbiology’s influence on human well-being and society.Furthermore, he has succeeded in skillfully combining factual events with fictional components to craft a captivating and believable tale.
Admirably appropriate is his dedication to his book, where he declares he dedicates his tome to Ignaz Semmelweis and all those scientists whose effort was never appreciated in their lifetime. “To the models of scientific excellence: Pasteur, Koch, and Lister.” To all those Jacobs who made remarkable contributions to the initial infectious disease era, but whose identities will never be recorded. To Lazear and Thullier, warriors in the battle against microbes. And we must not forget, as he emphasizes, the hundreds of healthcare professionals who have perished struggling against COVID-19 as the war against microbes continues.
Follow Here https://tinyurl.com/2dub2f8j To Read Norm's Interview With Dr. Berk
His narrative is an inspirational and motivating demonstration of how one can triumph over hardship and prevail despite obstacles.
It confirms and strikingly illustrates how cutting-edge discoveries can revolutionize our environment.
We accompany Jacob from his time at the Vienna Foundling Home after his mother, an obstetrician, passed away from “childbed fever” - a bacterial infection that caused high mortality rates in women after childbirth. Jacob had been alive for two days when his mother died. His dad, a French wine merchant, knew of his mother’s pregnancy but abandoned her and Jacob before he was born.
Jacob exposes a tantalizing hint in the opening chapters that his birth in 1848 and his mother’s death would ignite a chain of events that would revolutionize the world forever. He states, “one might say that my birth and her death set in place events that would change the world forever. My mother’s death would disclose a horrible secret and change the lives of men, women, and children over the coming centuries.”
As we uncover more into the story, we discover the remarkable secret that his mother kept - a secret that would unlock the solution to a lethal disease that had bedevilled women for centuries.
His mother had been a colleague of the Hungarian obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis, who realized the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regrettably, Semmelweis met with extreme scepticism as the medical community resisted change. Many hypothesized that the spread of disease was due to foul air.
In 1859, when Jacob was twelve and living in the orphanage, Doctors Ignaz Semmelweis and Ferdinand von Hebra came to call. They were keeping a commitment they had made to his mother. It was from these two physicians that Jacob learned the painful realities about his mother’s passing after birthing him.
His mom was one of the first to recognize doctors’ lack of attention to cleaning their hands. This caused the needless deaths of countless women because of the spread of deadly particles during delivery. For Jacob, this discovery gave his life a newfound direction, spurring him to preserve his mother’s legacy and strive to instate vital hygiene protocols that would save countless lives. He was convinced that his destiny was to use science to combat animalcules, bacteria, microbes, or whatever may eventually be known.
As we track Jacob on his journey, we realize such leaps forward as the public health repercussions of pasteurization, the end of the spontaneous generation myth, the importance of antisepsis and infection control, and the Koch work to affirm that bacteria caused specific diseases. We also gain knowledge about his work with Louis Pasteur, the French scientist who showed the relationship between microorganisms and disease, and Robert Koch, who established the bacteria theory of disease.
We learn about the British surgeon Jacob Lister, who was a pioneer in antiseptic surgery; And William Osler, an iconic figure in the annals of modern medicine and is renowned for his dedication to medical education and performing clinical medicine. Osler was the author of the famous textbook, The Principles of Medicine, which is still seen as a benchmark in the field. (My father graduated in medicine from McGill University in 1925, and among the books he left behind was a copy of Dr Osler’s book). Interestingly, Dr Osler was a professor at McGill in the early 1900s before relocating to the United States.
Dr. Berk's use of an imaginary protagonist makes the history of bacteriology more understandable and pertinent to readers. This approach animates the development of this essential field, deepening readers’ understanding of microbiology’s influence on human well-being and society.Furthermore, he has succeeded in skillfully combining factual events with fictional components to craft a captivating and believable tale.
Admirably appropriate is his dedication to his book, where he declares he dedicates his tome to Ignaz Semmelweis and all those scientists whose effort was never appreciated in their lifetime. “To the models of scientific excellence: Pasteur, Koch, and Lister.” To all those Jacobs who made remarkable contributions to the initial infectious disease era, but whose identities will never be recorded. To Lazear and Thullier, warriors in the battle against microbes. And we must not forget, as he emphasizes, the hundreds of healthcare professionals who have perished struggling against COVID-19 as the war against microbes continues.
Follow Here https://tinyurl.com/2dub2f8j To Read Norm's Interview With Dr. Berk
March 15, 2023
In Search of the Animalcule is an amazing story that follows a young man named Jacob. Born in the mid-1800s in Vienna and raised in an orphanage after his mother dies two days after his birth of childbed fever, Jacob makes remarkable discoveries with mentors Dr. Louis Pasteur, Dr. Robert Koch, and Dr. Joseph Lister who are all well-known historical figures in the world of medicine. As one of the very few women obstetricians in Europe, Jacob's mother knows she is ill and will pass away soon after Jacob's birth. At twelve years old, Jacob vows to find out what caused his mother to have childbed fever, and what he discovers is something he calls animalcules, known to us now as bacteria. Jacob searches for his father, a winemaker in France, and is introduced to Louis Pasteur. Pasteur is trying to find out why the wine grapes are going sour and welcomes Jacob under his wing.
This book had me engaged within the first chapter. As someone who has always enjoyed science and learning about its history, I found this book to be mesmerizing. Although Jacob is a fictional character, author Steven L. Berk, M.D. does an absolutely spectacular job of inserting him into the lives of real scientists and doctors from the 1800s. Jacob is naturally inquisitive and intelligent and has a bold personality that shows his drive to figure out more about animalcules. As he studies them under the microscope, he notices different diseases and ailments are caused by differently shaped animalcules. Some of them are rod-shaped, yet others are in clusters or clumps. What we know now in the medical world stems from this early research and infectious disease experts can use the information to create cures and vaccines for many of the diseases we see today. Back in Jacob's day, there were no cures for diseases such as yellow fever or childbed fever. Now, we don't think twice about getting an antibiotic prescribed.
After Jacob works with Pasteur for seven years, saving the wine grapes, discovering pasteurization, and solving the problem of dying silkworms, he moves on to work with Dr. Joseph Lister on germ theory in Scotland and later with Dr. Rober Koch. The stories of the patients that Jacob treats with Lister and Koch actually come from the files of real patients which adds to the realistic feel of the book. Berk does a fantastic job of meshing his fictional characters into the historical backdrop of Europe in the 1800s. If he had not specified what part of the book was fiction versus non-fiction, I would have believed this story in its entirety. The characters, setting, dialogue, interactions between characters, and the real-life facts in this book really bring In Search of the Animalcule to life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in medical sciences, specifically infectious diseases. Noted is the author's special dedication at the back of the book "to all physicians who wash their hands after seeing each patient." Yes, thank you very much for washing your hands.
Thank you to City Book Review, Steven L. Berk M.D., and iUniverse for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me engaged within the first chapter. As someone who has always enjoyed science and learning about its history, I found this book to be mesmerizing. Although Jacob is a fictional character, author Steven L. Berk, M.D. does an absolutely spectacular job of inserting him into the lives of real scientists and doctors from the 1800s. Jacob is naturally inquisitive and intelligent and has a bold personality that shows his drive to figure out more about animalcules. As he studies them under the microscope, he notices different diseases and ailments are caused by differently shaped animalcules. Some of them are rod-shaped, yet others are in clusters or clumps. What we know now in the medical world stems from this early research and infectious disease experts can use the information to create cures and vaccines for many of the diseases we see today. Back in Jacob's day, there were no cures for diseases such as yellow fever or childbed fever. Now, we don't think twice about getting an antibiotic prescribed.
After Jacob works with Pasteur for seven years, saving the wine grapes, discovering pasteurization, and solving the problem of dying silkworms, he moves on to work with Dr. Joseph Lister on germ theory in Scotland and later with Dr. Rober Koch. The stories of the patients that Jacob treats with Lister and Koch actually come from the files of real patients which adds to the realistic feel of the book. Berk does a fantastic job of meshing his fictional characters into the historical backdrop of Europe in the 1800s. If he had not specified what part of the book was fiction versus non-fiction, I would have believed this story in its entirety. The characters, setting, dialogue, interactions between characters, and the real-life facts in this book really bring In Search of the Animalcule to life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in medical sciences, specifically infectious diseases. Noted is the author's special dedication at the back of the book "to all physicians who wash their hands after seeing each patient." Yes, thank you very much for washing your hands.
Thank you to City Book Review, Steven L. Berk M.D., and iUniverse for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2023
Author and physician Steven L. Berk has created a character, a young boy named Jacob, who will lead readers through some of the greatest medical advances of his time in a manner both mystical and thoroughly logical in his newest book, In Search of the Animalcule.
Jacob’s mother dies of childbirth fever shortly after his birth; herself an obstetrician, she had been working on a possible cure for this condition that afflicted so many women in the mid-1800s. Now Jacob will grow up in the same orphanage where his mother was raised. But he begins to display an incredible intellect – possibly genius. His new life will begin when at age 12 he sets out to find his father, a man he never knew. But he will find much more.
Meeting Louis Pasteur, Jacob’s knowledge is so impressive and his will to fight disease so sincere that he becomes the great physician’s medical assistant. He will work with Pasteur to discover the cause of many diseases – the animalcule – an old term for the substance that would be known in the world of science as bacteria. With the recently invented microscope, he and his co-worker, a young woman named Adrienne, will see these tiny creatures varying in color and shape in a variety of ailments. Jacob is flexible and ready to take on new challenges, moving across the globe. He is invited to work with such medical notables as Jacob Lister in Scotland who pioneered germ theory, Nobel Prize winner Robert Koch in the US, and Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillium, ushering in the use of antibiotics. Jacob is able to postulate scientific scenarios and suggest possible remedies, even in his teens, and is fortunate to meet both Napoleon III and Queen Elizabeth I. In Berk’s ingenious schemata, Jacob’s journey through the fascinating world of scientific development - understanding disease and seeking cures - is balanced by his feelings as a young man meeting his estranged father for the first time, and later falling gently in love.
Author Steven L. Berk, M.D., Executive VP of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Dean of the School of Medicine, displays here his skills as an imaginative wordsmith. He has constructed a comfortably readable panorama that can be enjoyed on many levels. Jacob is a child when his saga unfolds, yet doubtless a savant whose attention must fluctuate between the personal and the professional in nearly all situations. The reader will see his will and ambition grow and flourish, encouraged by his noted mentors who are themselves deeply impressed with the young man. All these imminent physicians were real, and their experiments and conclusions accurately portrayed, drawn in some instances from actual medical files. They are seen through the eyes of the entirely fictional Jacob, whom the author has successfully invented to draw their accomplishments together.
Quill says: Author Steven L. Berk’s literary creation, In Search of the Animalcule, is a potent mix of scientific fact and lively fiction, and will doubtless garner a wide readership both inside his profession and beyond.
Jacob’s mother dies of childbirth fever shortly after his birth; herself an obstetrician, she had been working on a possible cure for this condition that afflicted so many women in the mid-1800s. Now Jacob will grow up in the same orphanage where his mother was raised. But he begins to display an incredible intellect – possibly genius. His new life will begin when at age 12 he sets out to find his father, a man he never knew. But he will find much more.
Meeting Louis Pasteur, Jacob’s knowledge is so impressive and his will to fight disease so sincere that he becomes the great physician’s medical assistant. He will work with Pasteur to discover the cause of many diseases – the animalcule – an old term for the substance that would be known in the world of science as bacteria. With the recently invented microscope, he and his co-worker, a young woman named Adrienne, will see these tiny creatures varying in color and shape in a variety of ailments. Jacob is flexible and ready to take on new challenges, moving across the globe. He is invited to work with such medical notables as Jacob Lister in Scotland who pioneered germ theory, Nobel Prize winner Robert Koch in the US, and Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillium, ushering in the use of antibiotics. Jacob is able to postulate scientific scenarios and suggest possible remedies, even in his teens, and is fortunate to meet both Napoleon III and Queen Elizabeth I. In Berk’s ingenious schemata, Jacob’s journey through the fascinating world of scientific development - understanding disease and seeking cures - is balanced by his feelings as a young man meeting his estranged father for the first time, and later falling gently in love.
Author Steven L. Berk, M.D., Executive VP of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Dean of the School of Medicine, displays here his skills as an imaginative wordsmith. He has constructed a comfortably readable panorama that can be enjoyed on many levels. Jacob is a child when his saga unfolds, yet doubtless a savant whose attention must fluctuate between the personal and the professional in nearly all situations. The reader will see his will and ambition grow and flourish, encouraged by his noted mentors who are themselves deeply impressed with the young man. All these imminent physicians were real, and their experiments and conclusions accurately portrayed, drawn in some instances from actual medical files. They are seen through the eyes of the entirely fictional Jacob, whom the author has successfully invented to draw their accomplishments together.
Quill says: Author Steven L. Berk’s literary creation, In Search of the Animalcule, is a potent mix of scientific fact and lively fiction, and will doubtless garner a wide readership both inside his profession and beyond.
March 4, 2023
Vienna, Austria, in 1847 marked a tumultuous time for illness, particularly in the hospital ward of Vienna General. Theresa Marie, a pioneer for female physicians, succumbs to the mysterious childbed illness days after her son Jacob is born. The child, who is unusually bright for his age, is raised in an orphanage until the age of twelve, when two professors who worked closely with his mother pay him a visit. They explain his mother’s dying wish to study and prevent puerperal fever and her hope they would reach out to Jacob. The boy also learns about his biological father’s whereabouts.
Feeling a new sense of purpose, the boy flees the orphanage, heading to Lille, France, to meet his father, Luc Lavigne, a wine merchant. Luc welcomes Jacob and invites him to stay in his vineyard with him and his other son, Pierre. While Jacob understands that producing wine is not his life’s ambition, he, along with a scientist, Louis Pasteur, can unearth the causes of why Luc’s grapes are spoiling and how the animalcules are linked to the childbed fever that killed his mother.
Despite discovering the reason for widespread sickness, Jacob and Louis must unearth how to prevent it.
“In Search of the Animalcule” by Steven L. Berk, M.D. is a medical thriller brimming with history and well-researched information. Themes of family and identity pepper the pages of this immersive book as readers follow a boy wise beyond his years who finds his life’s passion early on in life when he learns the truth about his mother’s death. Armed with the skill and compassion necessary to care for the sick, resourceful Jacob embarks on an exciting journey that will be a game-changer in medical science.
There were so many things to enjoy about this book, but my favorite was Jacob’s character. First, his resilience remained a permanent fixture throughout. No matter how much heartbreak, death, and solitude the boy had endured, he had this unfettered ability to adapt to his ever-changing surroundings; this was displayed during his stay at the orphanage and his potentially dangerous trek through the Danube River. Further, fear never seemed to be an obstacle for Jacob.
Moreover, despite my lack of scientific or medical background, I was enthralled by the studies of animalcules. The author left out complicated terminology but thoroughly educated me about these pesky bugs that were the cause of much adversity in our history. Who knew washing one’s hands could be such a huge medical revelation? Further, I was pleased to discover much of the book was based on fact, including characters like Ignaz Semmelweis, Dr. Carl Braun, and Louis Pasteur.
“In Search of the Animalcule” was a captivating book from start to finish. Jacob was a worthy choice for a protagonist. With his intelligence and grit, I was immersed in his quest for greater understanding, and I gleaned many interesting facts and tidbits regarding the history of childbed fevers and the prevention of illness as a whole.
Feeling a new sense of purpose, the boy flees the orphanage, heading to Lille, France, to meet his father, Luc Lavigne, a wine merchant. Luc welcomes Jacob and invites him to stay in his vineyard with him and his other son, Pierre. While Jacob understands that producing wine is not his life’s ambition, he, along with a scientist, Louis Pasteur, can unearth the causes of why Luc’s grapes are spoiling and how the animalcules are linked to the childbed fever that killed his mother.
Despite discovering the reason for widespread sickness, Jacob and Louis must unearth how to prevent it.
“In Search of the Animalcule” by Steven L. Berk, M.D. is a medical thriller brimming with history and well-researched information. Themes of family and identity pepper the pages of this immersive book as readers follow a boy wise beyond his years who finds his life’s passion early on in life when he learns the truth about his mother’s death. Armed with the skill and compassion necessary to care for the sick, resourceful Jacob embarks on an exciting journey that will be a game-changer in medical science.
There were so many things to enjoy about this book, but my favorite was Jacob’s character. First, his resilience remained a permanent fixture throughout. No matter how much heartbreak, death, and solitude the boy had endured, he had this unfettered ability to adapt to his ever-changing surroundings; this was displayed during his stay at the orphanage and his potentially dangerous trek through the Danube River. Further, fear never seemed to be an obstacle for Jacob.
Moreover, despite my lack of scientific or medical background, I was enthralled by the studies of animalcules. The author left out complicated terminology but thoroughly educated me about these pesky bugs that were the cause of much adversity in our history. Who knew washing one’s hands could be such a huge medical revelation? Further, I was pleased to discover much of the book was based on fact, including characters like Ignaz Semmelweis, Dr. Carl Braun, and Louis Pasteur.
“In Search of the Animalcule” was a captivating book from start to finish. Jacob was a worthy choice for a protagonist. With his intelligence and grit, I was immersed in his quest for greater understanding, and I gleaned many interesting facts and tidbits regarding the history of childbed fevers and the prevention of illness as a whole.
October 2, 2023
Steven L. Berk's "In Search of the Animalcule" is not just a work of historical fiction; it is a brilliant tapestry interwoven with rich historical details, scientific exploration, and profound human emotions. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Europe, the narrative artfully combines the personal journey of a resilient orphan, Jacob Pfleger, with groundbreaking discoveries in the realm of infectious diseases.
From its poignant beginning in Vienna, with the tragic loss of Jacob's mother to childbed fever, the tale masterfully encapsulates the urgency and mystery surrounding the rampant diseases of the time. The tragedy of Jacob's early days provides a stark and personal context to the broader scientific quests that form the core of the narrative.
Jacob's odyssey, filled with determination and destiny, leads him to cross paths with some of the luminaries of the scientific world: Ignaz Semmelweis, Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Robert Koch, and Sir William Osler. Through Jacob's interactions with these iconic figures, Berk provides readers with an intimate look into the exhilaration, challenges, and breakthroughs of the era. The narrative does a commendable job highlighting the relentless pursuit of knowledge, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its ability to humanise the scientific legends, allowing readers to experience their vulnerabilities, motivations, and moments of eureka. The evolution of the term "animalcule" into what we now understand as germs or bacteria is beautifully depicted, making the narrative both educational and engaging.
Berk's prose is evocative and meticulously researched. He doesn't shy away from diving deep into the intricacies of scientific processes, yet he ensures that the narrative remains accessible to a broad audience. The parallel between the historical battles against infectious diseases and our contemporary challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID era, adds a layer of relevance to the story.
"In Search of the Animalcule" is more than just a recounting of historical events; it's a testament to human resilience, the power of curiosity, and the indomitable spirit of discovery. A captivating read from start to finish, this book is a treasure for those passionate about history, science, and tales of unwavering determination.
____________________________
You can also read this review on my book blog, The Reading Bud: www.thereadingbud.com
From its poignant beginning in Vienna, with the tragic loss of Jacob's mother to childbed fever, the tale masterfully encapsulates the urgency and mystery surrounding the rampant diseases of the time. The tragedy of Jacob's early days provides a stark and personal context to the broader scientific quests that form the core of the narrative.
Jacob's odyssey, filled with determination and destiny, leads him to cross paths with some of the luminaries of the scientific world: Ignaz Semmelweis, Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Robert Koch, and Sir William Osler. Through Jacob's interactions with these iconic figures, Berk provides readers with an intimate look into the exhilaration, challenges, and breakthroughs of the era. The narrative does a commendable job highlighting the relentless pursuit of knowledge, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its ability to humanise the scientific legends, allowing readers to experience their vulnerabilities, motivations, and moments of eureka. The evolution of the term "animalcule" into what we now understand as germs or bacteria is beautifully depicted, making the narrative both educational and engaging.
Berk's prose is evocative and meticulously researched. He doesn't shy away from diving deep into the intricacies of scientific processes, yet he ensures that the narrative remains accessible to a broad audience. The parallel between the historical battles against infectious diseases and our contemporary challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID era, adds a layer of relevance to the story.
"In Search of the Animalcule" is more than just a recounting of historical events; it's a testament to human resilience, the power of curiosity, and the indomitable spirit of discovery. A captivating read from start to finish, this book is a treasure for those passionate about history, science, and tales of unwavering determination.
____________________________
You can also read this review on my book blog, The Reading Bud: www.thereadingbud.com
March 13, 2023
At a Vienna hospital in 1847, Jacob Pfleger became an orphan within hours of his birth. His mother, a rarity in that she was a female obstetrician, knew she was going to die of postpartum fever due to her symptoms. Before her last breath, she demanded her son be sent to the local orphanage. There he spent the next twelve years learning as much as he could while trying to survive the brutality of the staff and older children.
Jacob is a gifted and inquisitive boy. He reads everything he can get his hands on and is a keen observer. When Jacob learns from a friend of his late mother that his father is alive and living in France as a winemaker, he is determined to find him. Once he arrives, he is welcomed, but his family has been experiencing hard times due to something that is making their wine bad after the fermenting process. Louis Pasteur arrives to investigate the problem, wakening the love of scientific procedures that Jacob always suspected were at the root of his mother’s death and many other medical problems. Thus begins his journey around the world seeking answers and learning from the most famous doctors and scientists throughout his life, including Joseph Lister and Robert Koch.
I really enjoyed following Jacob’s story and meeting the list of Who’s Who of medicine pioneers. Their work was the stepping stones to the medical procedures we have today. Just think of everyone that has had a medical procedure with their healthcare providers wearing gloves and masks or had an infection that required an antibiotic. We have come much further than the workings of the late 1800s and early 1900s, but it is very interesting to learn of the great men and women of yesteryear.
Author Steven Berk MD is a board-certified expert in infectious diseases, is the Executive VP of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and the Dean of School of Medicine. He has written five medical books and an award-winning work of fiction, Anatomy of Kidnapping, which I plan to add to my to-be-read list. I highly recommend In Search of the Animalcule. It is a fast and interesting work of historical fiction.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from publicist Maryglen Warnock and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman
Jacob is a gifted and inquisitive boy. He reads everything he can get his hands on and is a keen observer. When Jacob learns from a friend of his late mother that his father is alive and living in France as a winemaker, he is determined to find him. Once he arrives, he is welcomed, but his family has been experiencing hard times due to something that is making their wine bad after the fermenting process. Louis Pasteur arrives to investigate the problem, wakening the love of scientific procedures that Jacob always suspected were at the root of his mother’s death and many other medical problems. Thus begins his journey around the world seeking answers and learning from the most famous doctors and scientists throughout his life, including Joseph Lister and Robert Koch.
I really enjoyed following Jacob’s story and meeting the list of Who’s Who of medicine pioneers. Their work was the stepping stones to the medical procedures we have today. Just think of everyone that has had a medical procedure with their healthcare providers wearing gloves and masks or had an infection that required an antibiotic. We have come much further than the workings of the late 1800s and early 1900s, but it is very interesting to learn of the great men and women of yesteryear.
Author Steven Berk MD is a board-certified expert in infectious diseases, is the Executive VP of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and the Dean of School of Medicine. He has written five medical books and an award-winning work of fiction, Anatomy of Kidnapping, which I plan to add to my to-be-read list. I highly recommend In Search of the Animalcule. It is a fast and interesting work of historical fiction.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from publicist Maryglen Warnock and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman
March 22, 2023
To read an entertaining and engaging account of what is probably the most important medical breakthrough of the nineteenth century—germ theory—this book should not be missed! It is seen through the eyes of the highly likeable orphan boy, Jacob, whose mother died birthing him at the hands of doctors who didn’t wash their hands. Jacob’s mother was a doctor who believed that germs, or rather, animalcules, were responsible for many deaths. This sets young Jacob on a life-long course to discover more and save lives, but first, he must find the father he never met.
Jacob starts off on an adventure and runs away from the orphan home in a quest from Vienna to France to find his father, a vineyard worker. What comes next is a tale of danger, showing what a brave boy Jacob is. He heads out on foot with little food.
Over the course of the story, he runs into interesting people, both fictional and real. The characterization is done with excellence, and readers are treated to wonderful inside views of doctors and scientists who made history: Pasteur, Lister, and others. The author of this story is not only a doctor who understands the medical aspects involved but knows how to write these concepts in a way that laypeople can understand and enjoy.
Jacob’s interaction as he lives and works with those who have dedicated their lives to unfolding the mysteries of germ theory is not only charming but also enlightening. Readers will learn things, which is a bonus to being entertained. They will see what it was like to be a researcher in an era without modern equipment.
The author doesn’t forget the women who were involved and includes their important contributions. Jacob’s relationships are at times motivating and at others heartbreaking.
Setting in this story is done in a way to bring in even more realism and put readers there with a sense of time and place.
This is a fascinating account that is sure to touch readers’ hearts and inspire their minds. It is worth the read!
Jacob starts off on an adventure and runs away from the orphan home in a quest from Vienna to France to find his father, a vineyard worker. What comes next is a tale of danger, showing what a brave boy Jacob is. He heads out on foot with little food.
Over the course of the story, he runs into interesting people, both fictional and real. The characterization is done with excellence, and readers are treated to wonderful inside views of doctors and scientists who made history: Pasteur, Lister, and others. The author of this story is not only a doctor who understands the medical aspects involved but knows how to write these concepts in a way that laypeople can understand and enjoy.
Jacob’s interaction as he lives and works with those who have dedicated their lives to unfolding the mysteries of germ theory is not only charming but also enlightening. Readers will learn things, which is a bonus to being entertained. They will see what it was like to be a researcher in an era without modern equipment.
The author doesn’t forget the women who were involved and includes their important contributions. Jacob’s relationships are at times motivating and at others heartbreaking.
Setting in this story is done in a way to bring in even more realism and put readers there with a sense of time and place.
This is a fascinating account that is sure to touch readers’ hearts and inspire their minds. It is worth the read!
March 9, 2023
“In search of the animalcule” is a very well written book. It’s about discovering the cause of infectious diseases in the times of Semmelweis, Lister, Pasteur, Koch and others. The book turns this part of the medical history into an exciting adventure, while unfolding the mysteries of the microbiological discoveries. The author introduces several well-known names in the field and mentions the various microbes in an understandable way. Highly recommended to read and you do not need a medical background.
October 17, 2023
I was enthralled just by reading the first few pages. As an active nurse, I really enjoyed how the story unfolds. Jacob is very relatable and his perseverance despite all the struggles is very inspiring. And somehow the story is very timely. How vaccines work and help prevent outbreaks. Everybody should read this book.
November 8, 2023
Very intriguing, the author transports you to another time and place in this novel. I have been a big fan of history from an early age and this novel about a young savant named Jacob who was a scientist first with a few renowned scientist who changed our world by defining the medical field with their discovery's and then a doctor at several famous medical universities in America. Great read, enjoyed it immensely.
December 8, 2023
In search of the animalcule
The story is about Jacob. His mother passed away from childbirth complications, and his father gave him an orphanage. At an early age, he searched for his father. Fast forward, he worked with people such as Louis pastuer and trying to find out why people die and the bacteria germs, etc. Interesting and I did like how it read. Recommend
The story is about Jacob. His mother passed away from childbirth complications, and his father gave him an orphanage. At an early age, he searched for his father. Fast forward, he worked with people such as Louis pastuer and trying to find out why people die and the bacteria germs, etc. Interesting and I did like how it read. Recommend
January 28, 2023
It Pays To Be Curious
A wonderful story that sheds historical light in both science and medicine in such a critical
Time period . Though fictional, Jacobs tale is so real and important in all the work and circumstance that lead to discovery.
A wonderful story that sheds historical light in both science and medicine in such a critical
Time period . Though fictional, Jacobs tale is so real and important in all the work and circumstance that lead to discovery.
August 21, 2023
It was a very fascinating story, but would have benefited from more careful editing.
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