Professor Greenwood was formerly at St Batholomew's Hospital, London before joining the Department of Microbiology at the University of Nottingham Medical School in 1974, where he remained until retirement in 2000. He was Professor of Antimicrobial Science between 1989 and 2000, and is the former Archivist to the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. He has contributed more than 200 scientific articles and books on antimicrobial agents over 40 years.
The science of drug discovery, the roles of individuals and teams in academia and industry, the circuitous routes taken to first treatment, are recounted in detail and depth in this wonderful volume from David Greenwood... This book is a must for all those who want to understand the ideas and personalities behind the antimicrobial drugs that have affected the quality of millions of lives. Science Direct It is hard to imagine that anyone will tell it better than David Greenwood...in this page-turner...The depth of writing captures perfectly the sometimes complex interplay between pharmaceutical companies, academics and government initiatives, and the case for the role played by serendipity is particularly forcefully made...I urge all pharmacists to read this book and wonder at the achievements that focus, motivation and commitment can bring. Peter Taylor is professor of microbiology at the School of Pharmacy, University of London, in Pharmaceutical Journal An admirable work...nearly every page brought a smile and an approving nod...a tour de force of which the author should be proud. Steve Mitchell, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London ...an elegant and comprehensive history of the antibiotic era...[recommended] to anyone, specialist or not, who is interested in antibiotics or the history of medicine. D. M. Livermore, Health Protection Agency, London This book offers a fascinating account of the development of antimicrobial drugs of all kinds...[this book] will be of interest to all lecturers, researchers, students and drug company employees engaged in antibiotic-related teaching and work. Every library should have a copy! Society for General Microbiology Enterprises such as this book require huge efforts from the author and pay great dividends to the loyal reader. For the origins of such drugs as avlosulphon and zanamivir, and many in between, this volume is a thorough and entertaining introduction. This book is a must for all those who want to understand the ideas and personalities behind the antimicrobial drugs that have affected the quality of millions of lives and raised so many major expectations. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygience