Review by Choice Review
Passage of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, into the human population represents one of the most significant medical events of the 20th century. Montagnier (Pasteur Institute, Paris), who along with Robert Gallo isolated the virus in the 1980s, recounts his role in the discovery of the virus. Montagnier begins with a brief autobiography and his early career in medical research. The recognition of an infectious nature of a newly recognized immunosuppressive disease led the author into a "race" to isolate the agent. Montagnier presents the argument that it was he who first grew the virus, an argument that has never been completely resolved. Whether Gallo or Montagnier was the first, there is no question as to the important contributions of Montagnier and his research team in understanding the virus. The author provides a detailed account of the virus and its infectious cycle, yet at a level easily accessible to a nonscientific public. Several sections address the simian origin of human HIV. Few scientific references, but the notes section is helpful in clarifying some material. Undergraduates through faculty. R. Adler; University of Michigan--Dearborn
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
The scientific and political aspects of this memoir distinguish it from most readable autobiographies. Montagnier describes how his interests in medicine (he entered the profession after his grandfather's slow, cruel death from cancer) and science changed and moved into new areas. His depictions of colleagues and institutions are beautifully drawn and often enlivened by humor, and his stories about his own mistakes and strolls into blind alleys speak well for his character. He shows how much of science consists of questioning--asking how and why and then setting up investigations to obtain answers or at least to increase understanding of the elements and processes involved. He explains technical material understandably, describes the current AIDS scene, and suggests directions for future AIDS research. The original French title of the book, by the way, is Des Virus et des Hommes, and the English subtitle is probably a sop thrown to self-trumpeting U.S. scientist Robert Gallo. Most scientists now regard Montagnier as the sole discoverer of HIV. --William Beatty
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Reminiscent of Paul De Kruif's 1926 classic Microbe Hunters, this highly engaging scientific adventure story by the noted French virologist who was a codiscoverer of HIV begins with a short sketch of Montagnier's youth and early career as a researcher before launching into the more exciting narrative of his pursuit of the causes of AIDS after the epidemic emerged in 1981. The most compelling aspect of the story is Montagnier's account of the very public competition between his laboratory and that of his American rival, Dr. Robert Gallo. This version is far more generous to Gallo than other published accounts, particularly Randy Shilts's in And the Band Played On. Montagnier's ability to present highly complicated scientific material in accessible language is especially useful in the second half of his memoir, when he explains the impact of the AIDS pandemic around the world. His informative narrative covers such issues as epidemiological transmission patterns ("heterosexual transmission... represents 90% of cases" worldwide); needle exchanges, which he contends "are not an incitement to drug use as some detractors claim"; and how multiple risk factors increase the possibility of HIV transmission. Montagnier ends the book with a cautiously optimistic view of the future, reckoning that more research, sensible risk reduction and humane social and medical policies may make the AIDS epidemic manageable, if not bring it completely under control. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
The question of who identified the HIV virus and the related lawsuit over revenues from the patented HIV blood test were major scientific controversies in recent years. Montagnier (of the Pasteur Institute) was at the center of these debatesÄalong with Dr. Robert Gallo of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. (In the end, both men received a Lasker award and shared the patent revenues). In 1991, Gallo presented his side in Virus Hunting: AIDS, Cancer, and the Human Retroviruses; A Story of Scientific Discovery (LJ 4/15/91); now Montagnier puts forward his side. He also weighs in on such recent developments as the multiple-drug regimens and the problem of AIDS in Third World countries where widespread drug treatment is too expensive. Montagnier's style is clear, if not exciting, and he seems to be at pains to be fair to Gallo and others as he presents his view of the controversies. This book is interesting for what it says about AIDS and about a major figure in modern medical research. Recommended for all types of libraries.ÄMarit MacArthur, Auraria Lib., Denver (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The autobiography of a virology pioneer, the natural history of HIV/AIDS, and the story of the effort to combat the disease, all intertwined in an entertaining and enlightening package. The eminent virologist Montagnier, of the equally eminent Pasteur Institute in Paris, explains how he haphazardly found his way into his specialty. A childhood in France marred by the Occupation was followed by increasingly specialized work in medicine and biology. He makes breathtakingly clear the importance of ongoing AIDS research: 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS; in 1998, 5.8 million were newly infected with HIV; 6,000 children are infected each day; the epidemic is spreading especially quickly in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, India, Cambodia, and southern China. Montagnier first looks at ``Discovery,'' how research'and clinical medicine'sometimes proceeds systematically along and sometimes stumbles by chance onto new diseases and treatments. He then details his own work identifying the causes and mechanisms by which HIV effects its damage. Montagnier, ever the gentleman, recounts with a forgiving tone his much-publicized dust-up with Robert Gallo of the National Institutes of Health; the two made key discoveries about the nature and mechanism of HIV virtually simultaneously, leading to difficulties with patents and funding. As he has in the past, Montagnier emerges as the voice of perspective and reason: ``I admit that I stand apart from Robert Gallo on many matters. Nevertheless, we shared one important thing . . . the desperate, despairing search for retroviruses linked to human cancers.'' Montagnier goes on to discuss the natural history of the disease and of the epidemic. He then looks at treatment, covering not just the scientific aspect but, most notably and sympathetically, devoting a chapter specifically to addressing those with the virus. After diagnosis, he understands, ``Everyday life must be conceived and organized in another fashion, work and relationships with others reconsidered.'' Elucidating explanation from the forefront of HIV/AIDS research, always with a strong humanitarian underpinning.
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Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
