Johnson's adaptation of his adult title details the innovations and scientific accomplishments that have recently doubled the human life span. Individual chapters recount the advent of vaccines, using data to identify disease sources, linking social statistics to demonstrate health outcomes, pasteurization, drug testing and regulation, the development of antibiotics, advances in automobile safety, and efforts to erase famine. Throughout, he emphasizes not only the efforts of scientists (such as Edward Jenner, developer of the smallpox vaccination) but also the work of influential lay people, including Lady Mary Montagu, who advocated widely for the use of variolation, a folk remedy for smallpox in use before Jenner's vaccine. The writing is clear and succinct and includes many examples not generally discussed in science texts for this age group, such as W. E. B. Du Bois' study of Philadelphia neighborhoods, which demonstrated how poverty and overcrowding affect life expectancy. Illustrated with documentary photos and charts and appended with further reading, this is a fascinating look at how science and certain politics have improved human life.

A revealing look at some of the reasons why average life spans have skyrocketed over the past century. Trimming down an adult version published in 2021 in conjunction with a PBS limited series, Johnson offers younger reading audiences a highlights reel of, mostly, scientific advances that have worked to reduce mortality rates--from variolation and vaccination to the controversial but famine-reducing effects of producing nitrates and chickens in industrial quantities. Though the author delivers proper nods to Lady Mary Montagu, Alexander Fleming, and like iconic figures, he cogently argues that each advance actually required the work of collaborative networks to effect lasting change. So it was that, for instance, Louis Pasteur might have learned how to sterilize milk, but it was grassroots efforts such as one led by New York City health commissioner Nathan Straus that first persuaded parents to use it and so drastically reduce infant mortality numbers. Collective efforts have also, Johnson writes, given us safer autos and drugs and eradicated smallpox. In keeping with the positive tone, he neglects to mention how the burgeoning use of antibiotics is resulting in super-resistant bacteria, but he does acknowledge the effects of systemic racism on Covid-19 death rates and the impending challenges of climate change. And, he notes in closing, if economic inequality is skyrocketing in Western countries like the United States, globally, both health outcomes and income levels are actually converging toward equality. A refreshing change of pace for readers weary of hearing that things are just getting worse. (recommended reading, endnotes, bibliography, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 11-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 3--8--This adaptation of Johnson's adult nonfiction work explains the ways science and medicine have added years onto the lifespan of humans. Over eight chapters, with an introduction and conclusion, recommended reading, notes, bibliography, and index, this work reads like a research tool, breaking down history into developments that have had an impact on today's life experience. Johnson includes medical interventions, such as vaccines, antibiotics, drug testing, and pasteurization, as well as public service interventions, such as public health data, social epidemiology, the addressing of hunger as an issue, and car safety. The work is written in a formal tone. With additional resources provided in the back matter, there are opportunities for young readers to pursue further research. VERDICT Johnson's book will well serve a nonfiction STEM collection for young readers.--Jessica Schriver