Viruses, Plagues, and History

Past, Present and Future

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, History, Health
Cover of the book Viruses, Plagues, and History by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D., Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D. ISBN: 9780199758494
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: November 2, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
ISBN: 9780199758494
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: November 2, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The story of viruses and humanity is a story of fear and ignorance, of grief and heartbreak, and of great bravery and sacrifice. Michael Oldstone tells all these stories as he illuminates the history of the devastating diseases that have tormented humanity, focusing mostly on the most famous viruses. Oldstone begins with smallpox, polio, and measles. Nearly 300 million people were killed by smallpox in this century alone and the author presents a vivid account of the long campaign to eradicate this lethal killer. Oldstone then describes the fascinating viruses that have captured headlines in more recent years: Ebola, Hantavirus, mad cow disease (a frightening illness made worse by government mishandling and secrecy), and, of course, AIDS. And he tells us of the many scientists watching and waiting even now for the next great plague, monitoring influenza strains to see whether the deadly variant from 1918--a viral strain that killed over 20 million people in 1918-1919--will make a comeback. For this revised edition, Oldstone includes discussions of new viruses like SARS, bird flu, virally caused cancers, chronic wasting disease, and West Nile, and fully updates the original text with new findings on particular viruses. Viruses, Plagues, and History paints a sweeping portrait of humanity's long-standing conflict with our unseen viral enemies. Oldstone's book is a vivid history of a fascinating field, and a highly reliable dispatch from an eminent researcher on the front line of this ongoing campaign.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The story of viruses and humanity is a story of fear and ignorance, of grief and heartbreak, and of great bravery and sacrifice. Michael Oldstone tells all these stories as he illuminates the history of the devastating diseases that have tormented humanity, focusing mostly on the most famous viruses. Oldstone begins with smallpox, polio, and measles. Nearly 300 million people were killed by smallpox in this century alone and the author presents a vivid account of the long campaign to eradicate this lethal killer. Oldstone then describes the fascinating viruses that have captured headlines in more recent years: Ebola, Hantavirus, mad cow disease (a frightening illness made worse by government mishandling and secrecy), and, of course, AIDS. And he tells us of the many scientists watching and waiting even now for the next great plague, monitoring influenza strains to see whether the deadly variant from 1918--a viral strain that killed over 20 million people in 1918-1919--will make a comeback. For this revised edition, Oldstone includes discussions of new viruses like SARS, bird flu, virally caused cancers, chronic wasting disease, and West Nile, and fully updates the original text with new findings on particular viruses. Viruses, Plagues, and History paints a sweeping portrait of humanity's long-standing conflict with our unseen viral enemies. Oldstone's book is a vivid history of a fascinating field, and a highly reliable dispatch from an eminent researcher on the front line of this ongoing campaign.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Coercion by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Human Rights, Legitimacy, and the Use of Force by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Thieves of Book Row: New York's Most Notorious Rare Book Ring and the Man Who Stopped It by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Quantum Enigma by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Angst: Origins of Anxiety and Depression by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Infinite Baseball by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Press Effect by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book How Everyone Became Depressed: The Rise and Fall of the Nervous Breakdown by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Heavy by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Just Another Southern Town by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Simple Reading Activities - Oxford Basics by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Catholic Bishops in the United States by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Pragmatist Egalitarianism by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Lion's World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy