A story of courage and risk-taking, "House on Fire" tells how smallpox, a disease that killed, blinded, and scarred millions over centuries of human history, was completely eradicated in a spectacular triumph of medicine and public health. Part autobiography, part mystery, the story is told by a man who was one of the architects of a radical vaccination scheme that became a key strategy in ending the horrible disease when it was finally contained in India. In "House on Fire", William H. Foege describes his own experiences in public health and details the remarkable program that involved people from countries around the world in pursuit of a single objective - eliminating smallpox forever. Rich with the details of everyday life, as well as a few adventures, "House on Fire" gives an intimate sense of what it is like to work on the ground in some of the world's most impoverished countries - and tells what it is like to contribute to programs that really do change the world.

About the Author
William H. Foege, Senior Fellow at the Gates Foundation, has held a succession of distinguished positions, including Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Professor and Health Policy Fellow at Emory University. Before becoming director of the CDC, he was chief of its Smallpox Eradication Program. Foege is the author of Global Health Leadership and Management.

Reviews
"Dr. Foege's book ... remind[s] us how fragile life looks." New York Times "Bounces the reader along with him in his jeep, on motorbikes over rugged terrain and on bustling trains... (And) shows what can be accomplished when governments and thousands of health workers focus on a single objective. " Wall Street Journal "[Foege] writes a mixture of memoir, dry public health guide and riveting tale of an all-consuming mission." -- Tiffany O'Callaghan New Scientist "A readable and thorough account by a key player in this outstanding victory for public health." Library Journal "A reminder of the importance of preventive medicine." Jama "A great, quick, and intensely personal read about the inside story of Foege's revolutionary idea and powerful actions... Foege was wise before his time." Medpage Today "Demonstrate[s] the enormous benefit that can accrue to mankind when a determined and ambitious band of individuals come together." The Lancet "Gives an intimate sense of what it is like to work on the ground in some of the world's most impoverished countries -- and tells what it is like to contribute to programs that really do change the world." Scienceblogs.com/The Guardian "Inspiring... A fascinating human interest account that is expertly merged with scientific facts." -- Pascal James Imperato Jrnl Of Community Health "A fascinating account" The Bulletin Of The Royal College Of Pathologists



Book Information
ISBN 9780520268364
Author William H. Foege
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint University of California Press
Publisher University of California Press
Weight(grams) 499g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 23mm