Review by Choice Review
The great flu epidemic of 1918 killed an estimated 40 million people worldwide. Yet, as we look at our knowledge of past and present plagues, such as the Black Death and AIDS, to inform us on how to prevent or effectively respond to future plagues, we realize there are major gaps in our understanding of these events. Scott (Univ. of Liverpool) and Duncan (emer., Univ. of Liverpool) present a new perspective on plagues of the past, particularly those in Europe in the period 1300-1650. Using an innovative interdisciplinary approach, which combines epidemiology, molecular biology, and modern computer modeling, the authors make the case that the European plagues were not outbreaks of bubonic disease but were more likely viral in nature. The authors systematically present data that undermines the thesis that Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes bubonic disease, was the cause of the European plagues. The methodology described has important implications for understanding biological and epidemiology processes and assisting society in better responding to future plagues. This book is written in a scientific style and will interest professionals and graduate students in the biological, medical, and social sciences. R. L. Jones emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
