Antibiotics. Invented by microbes. Mined by humans. And now running out.

'Combines the passion of Robert Macfarlane with the incisiveness of Patrick Radden Keefe ... Brilliant' Rachel Clarke, Spectator

'This history of scientific discovery and corporate greed chronicles arguably the most significant technological advance of the 20th century ... A lively history and a stark warning' Sunday Times, Best Books of the Year 2025

The discovery of antibiotics is one of humanity's greatest achievements, saving millions of lives and changing the world forever.

But, unlike other drugs, each time we take antibiotics we use up a finite resource. And now we are running out.

This is the spellbinding story of how we learned to harness the fossil fuels of medicine - and an urgent call to adapt, so they can hold a place in our future.

'Excellent ... highly readable' Henry Marsh

'Brilliant' Tim Spector

'Wonderful ... thrilling' Venki Ramakrishnan

'An enjoyable and absolutely essential read' Kate Bingham

'A fascinating deep dive' Sarah Gilbert

'Eye-opening ... a vital call to arms' Matthew Cobb

'This book is a triumph' Science