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k1teach2's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing to look at the difference between our North American attitude toward malaria and very different perceptions of it in areas where it is endemic.
sunshine915's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good comprehensive overview of malaria. I learned much from this book about the global distribution of malaria, its impact on world war II, the personalities involved in the quest to eliminate malaria, and much more. The book is well researched and worth a read by anyone interested in malaria.
christinemw's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic. Sonia Shah is an excellent writer and does an impeccable job of pointing out the intricacies of Malaria. This book covers the history of Malaria as well as it's present and a bit of its possible future. Definitely worth the read.
darkenergy's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
A very approachable history of malaria, one that integrates human behavior into the story more thoroughly than a more biology-oriented book would. Not that Shah skimps on the science; we do learn the basics of the parasite's life cycle, as well as the way it flourishes in only certain Anopheles vectors, which in turn are adapted to specific niches.
I think Shah makes a strong argument for her thesis; colonialism and imperialism were significantly impacted by the presence of malaria - consider the multiple failed attempts to build the Panama Canal, as well as both failed and successful invasions into Africa - without ever making it sound as if malaria by itself was the sole guidance throughout these exploits. The discussion of inequities in the historical treatment of malaria is interesting as well, because in a sense it's flipped the other way today: philanthropists like Bill Gates seem to be obsessed with connecting the end of malaria to the end of poverty (and if you aren't familiar with how the Gates Foundation has completely taken over even the WHO's approach to malaria, sometimes flying in the face of proven methodology, and not exactly doing a great job of letting locals take the lead, you should read up on it).
In general the narrative is the interwoven story of scientific advancements - including a number of significant missteps - with historical episodes where malaria had an outsized impact. There's also excellent segments detailing her experiences with the groups where malaria is endemic, because their reaction to it is so different from the way we in the West approach it. (On a related note, I found out one of my uncles had dengue over the summer and was like, how was this not major news?! Answer: because, while it's considered sensible to avoid excessive outdoor exposure during a dengue outbreak, it's not the worst thing to happen in tropical areas.)
I am curious as to how much of the malaria story ties into generalities around tropical diseases during these time periods - granted, Shah does highlight the unique challenges around a disease whose parasite goes through, what, 7 different forms and multiple species.
That said, I totally relate to the bits about being the most delicious morsel when you go visit your relatives overseas. (My asshole cousin always snuck into the mosquito net, so I just slathered myself with Odomos before bed.)
A very approachable history of malaria, one that integrates human behavior into the story more thoroughly than a more biology-oriented book would. Not that Shah skimps on the science; we do learn the basics of the parasite's life cycle, as well as the way it flourishes in only certain Anopheles vectors, which in turn are adapted to specific niches.
I think Shah makes a strong argument for her thesis; colonialism and imperialism were significantly impacted by the presence of malaria - consider the multiple failed attempts to build the Panama Canal, as well as both failed and successful invasions into Africa - without ever making it sound as if malaria by itself was the sole guidance throughout these exploits. The discussion of inequities in the historical treatment of malaria is interesting as well, because in a sense it's flipped the other way today: philanthropists like Bill Gates seem to be obsessed with connecting the end of malaria to the end of poverty (and if you aren't familiar with how the Gates Foundation has completely taken over even the WHO's approach to malaria, sometimes flying in the face of proven methodology, and not exactly doing a great job of letting locals take the lead, you should read up on it).
In general the narrative is the interwoven story of scientific advancements - including a number of significant missteps - with historical episodes where malaria had an outsized impact. There's also excellent segments detailing her experiences with the groups where malaria is endemic, because their reaction to it is so different from the way we in the West approach it. (On a related note, I found out one of my uncles had dengue over the summer and was like, how was this not major news?! Answer: because, while it's considered sensible to avoid excessive outdoor exposure during a dengue outbreak, it's not the worst thing to happen in tropical areas.)
I am curious as to how much of the malaria story ties into generalities around tropical diseases during these time periods - granted, Shah does highlight the unique challenges around a disease whose parasite goes through, what, 7 different forms and multiple species.
That said, I totally relate to the bits about being the most delicious morsel when you go visit your relatives overseas. (My asshole cousin always snuck into the mosquito net, so I just slathered myself with Odomos before bed.)
vanessakm's review against another edition
3.0
I heard the author of this book on Fresh Air and she was so interesting, I was convinced to read this book that I likely would have otherwise passed by. This is an surprisingly fascinating accounting of the long history of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, and the impact it's had on civilization in terms of language, migration, colonization, economy, the environment, and the spread of HIV. It's killed some famous people like Alexander the Great (probably), Dante, Lord Byron, King Charles II of England. And Oliver Cromwell, who spurned a remedy proffered by the Jesuits (a still effective one called quinine) saying it was a Catholic plot. Since Cromwell was a jackhole, that story is awesome. Malaria still has a tremendous impact in huge parts of the world despite the DDT campaigns of the 1950's and the contemporary work of the Gates Foundation, which I was surprised to learn the author is skeptical about. I also learned that malaria didn't exist in the Americas till the Europeans, and later African slaves, brought it here.
I did enjoy reading this book. It is informative and copiously foot-noted, always a good sign. In the end, I gave it three stars because the author sometimes tells a story that leaves you with a significant question that isn't answered till chapters later, she is at times given to hyperbole, a few sentences were worded confusingly and occasionally historical events were mentioned without dates. I freely admit this last item is an idiosyncrasy of mine. You, fellow reader, may not care. Solidly good reading even if you aren't an etiology nerd.
I did enjoy reading this book. It is informative and copiously foot-noted, always a good sign. In the end, I gave it three stars because the author sometimes tells a story that leaves you with a significant question that isn't answered till chapters later, she is at times given to hyperbole, a few sentences were worded confusingly and occasionally historical events were mentioned without dates. I freely admit this last item is an idiosyncrasy of mine. You, fellow reader, may not care. Solidly good reading even if you aren't an etiology nerd.
burdasnest's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
It's perhaps a little unfair to only rate this 3/5, but I'm knocking off points because there's been a lot of development between its publication in 2010 and now. But the parts that are the most valuable are the same as those still relevant from Infections and Inequalities by Paul Farmer (1999): interventions that fail to take cultural context into account and make use of medical anthropology are ill-fated.
Personally, if you have any background on malaria, it's the middle third of this book that you'll want to read and you can skip the rest. The Mosquito by Timothy Winegard and The American Plague by Molly Caldwell Crosby do a better job of filling in how mosquito-borne diseases have shaped human history, but the deep dive into the more recent cultural context of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia found here is unique and a useful scolding of paternalistic public health and NGOs, myself included.
One question Shah asks that remains to be answered today: how do we humans learn to coexist with malaria while protecting ourselves as we continue to adapt to to a changing and heated world?
Personally, if you have any background on malaria, it's the middle third of this book that you'll want to read and you can skip the rest. The Mosquito by Timothy Winegard and The American Plague by Molly Caldwell Crosby do a better job of filling in how mosquito-borne diseases have shaped human history, but the deep dive into the more recent cultural context of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia found here is unique and a useful scolding of paternalistic public health and NGOs, myself included.
One question Shah asks that remains to be answered today: how do we humans learn to coexist with malaria while protecting ourselves as we continue to adapt to to a changing and heated world?
aks0813's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating read for this public health nerd.
markisero's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, malaria. I learned a lot about this disease and read this book really quickly. It was written well.
wvanausdal's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. I felt like I was learning but I wasn't bored for a second. However, I am not despondent about ever eradicating malaria. People are too stupid, selfish and greedy to all work together to get rid of it. I am angry at the world.
bookwormmichelle's review against another edition
4.0
VERY interesting exploration of malaria, its evolution through history, how it has affected humans, how we try to fight it, and why it's not working. Fascinating.