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（李傑），1964年齣生於中國江蘇省銅山縣，1983年畢業於南京大學高分子專業並於1988年畢業於南京大學高分子專業並於1988年獲得碩士學位。在南京林業大學工作三年後赴美留學並於1995年取得印地安那大學（Indiana University）博士學位。在麻省理工學院（MIT）作瞭兩年博士後研究工作後去帕剋－戴維斯製藥公司〔（該公司於2000年後屬輝瑞（Pfizer）公司）〕工作。現在他在位於康州的百時美施貴寶公司擔任研究員。