BIOGRAPHY OF RESISTANCE The Epic Battle Between People and Pathogens

Kyle Tait's calm, almost soothing, performance is welcome, given the difficult topic of this audiobook--antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Zaman's work is concise; each chapter provides listeners with insight into the history of bacteria and the battle to address infections scientifically. Each section provides a case history of how researchers fought to develop and deploy antibiotics. The recurring (and unsettling) theme is the nature of bacterial resistance. Zaman captures the fundamental conflict between treating the inherently difficult mutating bacteria and the pharmaceutical industry's drive to develop so-called "blockbuster drugs" that capture the public's imagination and drive sales and the bottom line rather than examining and improving existing treatments incrementally. Tait provides a welcoming, gentle performance that complements the concerning subject matter. S.P.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2020]