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 Lethal But Legal by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Does Education Really Help? by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Colombian Constitutional Law by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Literary Imagination in Jewish Antiquity by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Final Word by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Space and Time: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The INS on the Line by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Using R for Data Analysis in Social Sciences by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Assimilate: A Critical History of Industrial Music by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book The Siege of Washington by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Climate Change by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Schoenberg's Correspondence with American Composers by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Failing to Protect by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book American Immigration: A Very Short Introduction by Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D.
Cover of the book Engagement and Metaphysical Dissatisfaction 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