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"This bat coronavirus is really interesting" (347).
This book is about the biology, evolution, and ecology of zoonotic outbreaks, that is, viruses from animals that are responsible for diseases in humans. It covers protozoans, bacteria, retroviruses, orthomyxoviruses, and coronaviruses. It includes sections on Hendra, Ebola, malaria, SARS, Lyme Disease, Herpes B, Nipah, AIDS and influenza. It almost singlehandedly convinced me to become a vegetarian. I wish I’d read it a year ago.
If you ever had any curiosity about the science behind any of these diseases or the math behind epidemiology, this is the book for you. It is engaging and brilliant.
Given the events of the past few years (2019-2021) I can see where you may have had enough of this topic, and would like to pass on it. However, consider this: this book basically predicted the coming of COVID-19 seven years before it happened.
This book should absolutely be required reading for everyone, especially anyone that thinks they know more than the epidemiologists who are still trying to convince half the country to get the vaccine. A+
If you ever had any curiosity about the science behind any of these diseases or the math behind epidemiology, this is the book for you. It is engaging and brilliant.
Given the events of the past few years (2019-2021) I can see where you may have had enough of this topic, and would like to pass on it. However, consider this: this book basically predicted the coming of COVID-19 seven years before it happened.
This book should absolutely be required reading for everyone, especially anyone that thinks they know more than the epidemiologists who are still trying to convince half the country to get the vaccine. A+
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
david quammen did is research and presented the information in a way that entertaining.
4.5 stars
A really great look at the history of zoonotic disease and its impacts on humankind. I thougt the author got a little lost in the HIV chapter, it was a little wishy washy compared to the rest of the book, but overall I thought this book was great.
A really great look at the history of zoonotic disease and its impacts on humankind. I thougt the author got a little lost in the HIV chapter, it was a little wishy washy compared to the rest of the book, but overall I thought this book was great.
So good. Thorough and super well written examination of zoonotic diseases. Really engaging. If you are at all interested in biology, ecology, or diseases, read this.
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
This was fantastically interesting, though very dense. Probably helpful to have at least a passing familiarity with biology, molecular biology in particular, but I think he did well getting some of the concepts through to those not familiar. I took occasional breaks due to the stated density, but learned a lot about both diseases I haven't read about before and those I have.