Pandemic
By Sonia Shah
Tracking Contagions, from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond. Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016.
Summary of Pandemic book by Sonia Shah
A fascinating look at the history of pandemics, with particular focus on the modern developments and social factors that precipitated the spread of major pathogens.
Chapters in Pandemic book summary
What do you get from this book? Understand the history of pandemics and how pathogens evolve, spread, and kill
SARS and cholera both originated in animals, with pathogens spreading to humans thanks to unnatural environments and human expansion
Innovations in air and sea travel allowed pathogens to spread to distant shores, changing the shape of pandemics
Poor sanitation practices caused cholera outbreaks in the 19th century and persist in some areas of the world today
Urban growth was largely to blame for cholera’s return, and virologists fear an avian influenza that could spread between people
Human cooperation can stop a pandemic in its tracks, but history shows society’s reluctance to cooperate in times of crisis
Rather than cooperating to overcome a pathogen, humans are more likely to choose a scapegoat—often reacting violently
The prevailing medical paradigm in the 19th century exacerbated the condition and prevented the development of a cure
Global warming caused by the release of fossil fuel has allowed pathogens to evolve to suit warmer climates
Sexual reproduction may have evolved to overcome pathogens, while people react to pandemics either with fear or apathy
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Pandemic — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Pandemic book
- Virologists
- researchers
- anyone interested in the history of pandemics
About the author of Pandemic
Sonia Shah
Sonia Shah is an award-winning author, historian, and investigative journalist with a keen interest in global health and social issues relating to human rights and science. Her writing has appeared in several prestigious publications, including Scientific American, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.
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