Interest in understanding and treating diseases of the mind and the body appeared in the earliest human societies. Early remedies were of questionable value because the cause of disease was unknown. Potions and charms were said to ward off evil spirits. Bloodletting was thought to release stale blood. It wasn’t until the 19th century that germ theory as we understand it today was developed. Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, was asked to investigate why some wines would spoil and become bitter. His experiments built on previous work and advanced the understanding of microorganisms and their role in disease. The theory of microorganisms, also known as germ theory, replaced ideas about miasma and spontaneous regeneration. From Hippocrates to germ warfare, the scientists and ideas that have contributed to our modern understanding of how germs cause disease are presented. The book’s succinct text is supported by color photographs and dynamic graphics. Sidebars, offset in contrasting colors, add relevant details on each page. “Quick Facts,” offset within the image of a magnifying glass, add one- to three-sentence summaries of interesting, related information. This book from the “Shaping Modern Science” series closes with a timeline, a glossary, a list of books and websites titled “For More Information,” and an index. It would be a good addition to a middle or high school science class or library. Reviewer: Hazel Buys