The Age of Cures

“Werth offers a vivid depiction of a world before effective medicines, one that prevailed until quite recently…The stories of how these pharmaceuticals were developed are thrilling.” * —The New York Times *
”[A] richly detailed account of how these ‘miracle drugs’ came to be….The heroes of this story…have been largely overlooked in popular accounts of the pharmaceutical revolution, and Werth deserves credit for bringing them vividly to life….In light of current battles over COVID-19 origins, vaccine schedules, research funding, and the independence of scientists, Werth’s book reads less like a record of bygone tensions between scientific judgment and political power than a warning about conflicts playing out again today.” * —Science Magazine *
”[A] captivating, up-close account of the committed individuals behind the industrial methods that modernized health care. * —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *
“An excellent account of exciting pharmaceutical triumphs.”

* —Kirkus *

Barry Werth is an award-winning journalist and the author of eight books. His landmark first book, The Billion-Dollar Molecule, recounts the founding and early struggles of a startup pharmaceutical company, Vertex, in its quest for the perfect drug. His sequel, The Antidote, continues the story of Vertex as it emerges as a leader in delivering breakthrough medicines. The Age of Cures, the final book in his trilogy, introduces readers to the founding visionaries of the pharmaceutical revolution. Werth’s articles have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and GQ, among other publications. He has taught journalism and nonfiction writing at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and Boston University. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.

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