VIRUS HUNTING: AIDS, Cancer, and the Human Retrovirus
Inscribed first edition of this personal account of the events leading up to and following the discovery of the AIDS virus, by its co-discoverer.
Fine in about fine jacket.
Price: $500.00
VIRUS HUNTING: AIDS, Cancer, and the Human Retrovirus
"This book is three books in one: the story of a life in science; the adventure of solving mysteries that may be key to conquering several human diseases; and the drama of scientific controversy, told by a man who has been at the cutting edge of biomedical science for twenty-five years."
A multifaceted book — part memoir, part science-writing — by the cofounder and director of the Institute of Human Virology, and the most cited scientist in the world between 1980 and 1990. Gallo was the head of the Labratory of Tumor Cell Biology at NIH's National Cancer Institute when he published the set of journal papers that identified the retrovirus that would eventually be known as HIV. His papers correctly identified the virus as the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). He and his team also pioneered the development of the HIV blood test that would allow healthcare professionals to conduct screenings for the virus.
Some controversy followed the publication of the Gallo papers when DNA tests showed that the same strain of retrovirus was discovered by French virologists a year prior to the discovery by Gallo and his team. A lawsuit over the patent over the development of the HIV-antibody test would follow, ending in an agreement to "divide the scientific credit and patent royalties from all HIV work and the blood test that detected it" (Markel). VIRUS HUNTING contains Gallo's side of the story, in what was his first time speaking out about the controversy. A clean copy, warmly inscribed.
The Object
First printing. New York: New Republic, (1991). Full title: Virus Hunting: AIDS, Cancer, and the Human Retrovirus: A Story of Scientific Discovery. 9.25'' x 6''. Original quarter purple cloth, grey paper boards, gilt-stamped spine. In original unclipped ($22.95) color pictorial jacket. Pictorial endpapers. x, 352 pages. Inscribed by Gallo on title page: "To Fernando, / with my compliments / and my best wishes, / Robert 'Bob' Gallo / 9/91". Jacket with touch of edgewear. Fresh, clean.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.
All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.
