The stories behind drug discovery are fascinating, full of human and scientific interest. This is a book on the history of drug discovery that highlights the intellectual splendor of discoverers as well as the human frailty associated with them. History is replete with examples of breakthrough medicines that have saved millions of lives. Ether as an anesthetic by Morton; penicillin as an antibiotic by Fleming; and insulin as an anti-diabetic by Banting are just a few examples. The discoverers of these medicines are doubtlessly benefactors to mankind - for instance, without penicillin, 75 per cent of us probably would not be alive because some of our parents or grandparents would have succumbed to infections. Dr. Jack Li, a medicinal chemist who is intimately involved with drug discovery, has assembled an astounding amount of facts and information behind important drugs through extensive literature research and interviews with many inventors of the drugs including Viagra and Lipitor. There have been many myths and inaccuracies associated with those legendary drugs. The inventors perspectives afforded this book an invaluable accuracy and insight because history is not history unless it is true. The text is supplemented by many anecdotes, pictures and postage stamps. Both specialist and layman will find Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor informative and entertaining. Students in chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine, workers in healthcare and high school science teachers will find this book most useful.

Jie Jack Li（李杰），1964年出生于中国江苏省铜山县，1983年毕业于南京大学高分子专业并于1988年毕业于南京大学高分子专业并于1988年获得硕士学位。在南京林业大学工作三年后赴美留学并于1995年取得印地安那大学（Indiana University）博士学位。在麻省理工学院（MIT）作了两年博士后研究工作后去帕克－戴维斯制药公司〔（该公司于2000年后属辉瑞（Pfizer）公司）〕工作。现在他在位于康州的百时美施贵宝公司担任研究员。