Captures the intensity that characterized the race to Ôconquer' the dreaded, crippling disease of polio. Smith volunteered to try the experimental Salk vaccine; this is her personal essay on the interplay among medicine, politics, psychology, culture and collective memory. She interprets the science clearly for the lay reader. Smith captures the talented, contentious, determined, ambitious people who made the miracle of protection against polio, and the mixed motives that drove them. "A fascinating and sometimes disturbing story involving massive public support, great egos, personal ambition, professional jealousies &, fortunately, selfless dedication to scientific principles." B&W photos. A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner.