My Review of The Perfect Predator: A Scientist's Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbugs

As I decided to curl up with a book this weekend to make quarantine life more enjoyable, The Perfect Predator captivated every part of the science-loving, hopeless romantic, bookworm I am. Written by Dr. Steffanie Strathdee and her husband, Thomas Patterson, I was in awe of the incredible journey the pair had, and all the obstacles they overcame. Strathdee had the support of many friends and family, and the bond all of them develop shines through as you read the book. For someone who loves science, I highly recommend this book. At no point did I feel overwhelmed with the content or medical jargon, and Strathdee does a fantastic job at explaining each step of Patterson’s medical diagnoses. Not only did I learn about how complicated superbugs can be from a new perspective, but I learned so much about how different medical professionals can work together with each person having a unique key role to Patterson’s successful recovery. For any reader, Strathdee pulls at your heartstrings in practically every manner. Whether it be Strathdee’s conversations with her sister or every interaction with her husband, Strathdee takes readers on a journey where they can see how each relationship was a crucial part of Strathdee’s battle to find a cure for Patterson. As I read more of the book, I found myself growing attached to different characters, like Dr. Robert “Chip” Schooley, Patterson’s daughters, and Khalid, their guide in Egypt. I highly recommend everyone to read this book not only for pleasure but to learn so much about Strathdee’s journey to successfully follow through with phage therapy and gain an understanding of how real this issue is. Strathdee’s story emphasizes how antibiotic resistance can be the predator of someone you love, and to not take it lightly. As COVID-19 has shown us, epidemics can grow at an astounding rate, and if we don’t act on Antibiotic Resistance now, it can be more dangerous than COVID-19, or any past pandemic the world has seen.

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