Description
This is an engaging and fascinating story of a conditional human success story. Smallpox has been one of the most devastating scourges of humanity throughout recorded history, and it is the only human illness to have been eradicated, though polio may soon follow it to official extinction through human agency. However, while smallpox is officially extinct in nature, literally tons of the virus remain in guarded storage in Russia and at Fort Detrick in the US. Our fears that smallpox may return as a weapon of bioterrorists have led to the stockpiling of vaccine, and continuing vigilance, even though the official victory over smallpox is now 15 years old. The Life and Death of Smallpox presents the entire engaging history of our struggle and ultimate (?) victory over one of our oldest and worst enemies. The story of the campaign to track down and eradicate the virus throughout the world - the difficulties, setbacks, and the challenges successfully met - is a highlight of a fascinating book, but we can't be confident of the ending. The final chapter of the book clearly and authoritatively explains the current status of the threat, from the deliberate release of smallpox or other potential agents of biological terrorism.
A history of one of the most feared diseases, ending with a conditional human success story - the worldwide eradication of smallpox.
Reviews
"This book is thoroughly researched and eminently readable. ..the definitive work on the subject. Highly recommended." R.M. Mullner, University of Illinois at Chicago, CHOICE
"The authors of this book are just the right people to produce an accurate and extremely interesting account of the history of this remarkable disease... The last chapter provides an accurate and up-to-date description of the potential threat of the use of smallpox as a bioterrorist weapon." Frank Fenner, Professor Emeritus and Visiting Fellow, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Senior author of Smallpox and its Eradication
"A timely and terrifying tale that allows us to hope that mankind's worst virus has passed. Ian and Jenifer Glynn have written a gripping history of smallpox, the horrific plague of mankind, from the first millennium BC until its virtual eradication at the end of the Twentieth Century." Brenda Maddox, author of Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA
"The Life and Death of Smallpox, provides the best and most interesting published account of the history of the world's most serious pestilence. Thoroughly researched and eminently readable, the book traces the history of smallpox from its earliest origins, more than 3000 years ago, to the status of smallpox virus in 2004." Donald A. Henderson, M.D., M.P.H., Former Director of the Global Program for Smallpox Eradication, Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Biodiversity, University of Pittsburgh, Dean Emeritus of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
"Nevertheless the book is a useful addition to the literature on the history of human infectious disease and the human social response to it. It certainly should be part of the library of any scientist or historian interested specifically in the history of smallpox but also those concerned with the more general problem of human adaptation to disease and the social mechanisms available to human societies to combat disease." American Journal of Human Biology, Donald J. Ortner, Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution
"Richly illustrated with photos and drawings, the book also presents a detailed history of the many battles to isolate, control and eventually inoculate individuals." Science and Theology News
"...the Glynns have produced a highly readable account of one of history's most feared diseases." The Quarterly Review of Biology, Jonathon Erlen, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
"...a fascinating account..." - Teaching History, Michael Salevouris, Webster University
Book Information
ISBN 9780521845427
Author Ian Glynn
Format Hardback
Page Count 292
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 600g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 21mm
A history of one of the most feared diseases, ending with a conditional human success story - the worldwide eradication of smallpox.
Reviews
"This book is thoroughly researched and eminently readable. ..the definitive work on the subject. Highly recommended." R.M. Mullner, University of Illinois at Chicago, CHOICE
"The authors of this book are just the right people to produce an accurate and extremely interesting account of the history of this remarkable disease... The last chapter provides an accurate and up-to-date description of the potential threat of the use of smallpox as a bioterrorist weapon." Frank Fenner, Professor Emeritus and Visiting Fellow, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Senior author of Smallpox and its Eradication
"A timely and terrifying tale that allows us to hope that mankind's worst virus has passed. Ian and Jenifer Glynn have written a gripping history of smallpox, the horrific plague of mankind, from the first millennium BC until its virtual eradication at the end of the Twentieth Century." Brenda Maddox, author of Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA
"The Life and Death of Smallpox, provides the best and most interesting published account of the history of the world's most serious pestilence. Thoroughly researched and eminently readable, the book traces the history of smallpox from its earliest origins, more than 3000 years ago, to the status of smallpox virus in 2004." Donald A. Henderson, M.D., M.P.H., Former Director of the Global Program for Smallpox Eradication, Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Biodiversity, University of Pittsburgh, Dean Emeritus of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
"Nevertheless the book is a useful addition to the literature on the history of human infectious disease and the human social response to it. It certainly should be part of the library of any scientist or historian interested specifically in the history of smallpox but also those concerned with the more general problem of human adaptation to disease and the social mechanisms available to human societies to combat disease." American Journal of Human Biology, Donald J. Ortner, Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution
"Richly illustrated with photos and drawings, the book also presents a detailed history of the many battles to isolate, control and eventually inoculate individuals." Science and Theology News
"...the Glynns have produced a highly readable account of one of history's most feared diseases." The Quarterly Review of Biology, Jonathon Erlen, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
"...a fascinating account..." - Teaching History, Michael Salevouris, Webster University
Book Information
ISBN 9780521845427
Author Ian Glynn
Format Hardback
Page Count 292
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 600g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 21mm
