Overview
The discovery of antibiotics was one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Since their advent less than a century ago, antibiotics have saved millions of lives, marking one of the greatest medical advances in our history. But much like oil in the previous century, they were not invented but discovered—the most effective antibiotics were found in nature, made by microbes. Antibiotics have been a cheap everlasting fuel that has powered modern medicine, but at a cost. For antibiotics aren’t like other drugs. Every time we used them, we increased the possibility of antibiotic resistance emerging. Every time we used them, we were risking their future effectiveness. Even if it didn’t seem like it, there was only ever a finite supply. Antibiotics are the fossil fuels of medicine: they are “fossil drugs.”
How did we get here? In order to understand the future of antibiotics, we need to understand their past. Dangerous Miracle tells the story of antibiotics: weaving the grand arc of their evolution over millions of years with a history of the past century. Antibiotic resistance shows how easily bacteria have been able to undo human progress. If we want antibiotics to have a future, we need to prepare to adapt accordingly. And fast.
Dangerous Miracle is a revelatory account of the miraculous history and uncertain future of antibiotics from a young and gifted Oxford biologist.
This book title, Dangerous Miracle (The Astonishing Rise and Looming Disaster of Antibiotics), ISBN: 9781668023631, by Liam Shaw, published by Simon & Schuster (September 23, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer Dangerous Miracle (The Astonishing Rise and Looming Disaster of Antibiotics) books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order Dangerous Miracle (The Astonishing Rise and Looming Disaster of Antibiotics) books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!