leahsbooks's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
This was a fascinating look into the history of disease and how it is managed, as well as how these topics are handled today. While it could have been easy for this to get boring and dry, it never did.
There was a lot of information presented, ranging from ancient times to present day, and all of it was presented logically and in terms that are easily understandable to the layperson. I was so incredibly intrigued to learn about the history and patient zero analysis of various diseases, ranging from Hansen's disease (leprosy) to typhoid fever to typhus to smallpox to the Plague to Ebola to rabies and even COVID-19. I also enjoyed learning how people had tried to treat these illnesses throughout history, as well as how the medical field has eventually learned to control, manage, and in some fortunate cases, even wipe out a few of these diseases.
There were many cases where historical medical knowledge and even the spread of diseases were sensitive topics, such as the spread of disease into the New World by Columbus and his men. I think the authors did a great job of portraying the situations in a sensitive manner, using facts that were as historically accurate as possible.
The material was clearly well-researched, and presented in a linear and easy-to-understand manner. It touches on diseases from all over the world, where they come from, and how they've been treated, both ineffective and effective means. There's a lot of cool little tidbits relevant to the material thrown in as well, including famous people afflicted by the disease, current information or presentations, and random historical facts. Overall, it was a really cool and interesting book, and it was surprisingly interesting.
This was a fascinating look into the history of disease and how it is managed, as well as how these topics are handled today. While it could have been easy for this to get boring and dry, it never did.
There was a lot of information presented, ranging from ancient times to present day, and all of it was presented logically and in terms that are easily understandable to the layperson. I was so incredibly intrigued to learn about the history and patient zero analysis of various diseases, ranging from Hansen's disease (leprosy) to typhoid fever to typhus to smallpox to the Plague to Ebola to rabies and even COVID-19. I also enjoyed learning how people had tried to treat these illnesses throughout history, as well as how the medical field has eventually learned to control, manage, and in some fortunate cases, even wipe out a few of these diseases.
There were many cases where historical medical knowledge and even the spread of diseases were sensitive topics, such as the spread of disease into the New World by Columbus and his men. I think the authors did a great job of portraying the situations in a sensitive manner, using facts that were as historically accurate as possible.
The material was clearly well-researched, and presented in a linear and easy-to-understand manner. It touches on diseases from all over the world, where they come from, and how they've been treated, both ineffective and effective means. There's a lot of cool little tidbits relevant to the material thrown in as well, including famous people afflicted by the disease, current information or presentations, and random historical facts. Overall, it was a really cool and interesting book, and it was surprisingly interesting.
madamegeneva's review
4.0
A fun, interesting look into key diseases, viruses, bacteria, and the scientific advancements that occurred alongside them.
lawmixitup's review
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Overall a great read. Some things I would personally change (for instance there is a description of how someone dies by suicide) and at least one factual error I noticed but overall entertaining and informative. I'm terrified of prions now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Suicide, Body horror, Colonisation, and Medical content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racism, and War
librarypatronus's review
5.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Workman Publishing Company for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.
This was really interesting and easy to follow. There was a good number of relevant illustrations, a decent variety of illnesses discussed, and it had a very story like quality - we looked at the individuals and areas that an illness was being spread - it wasn’t dry or academic feeling, and I think anyone interested in infectious diseases and how they get started and spread, or just interested in history, could pick this up without much for knowledge and could follow along, pretty much at any age, even though it’s written to an adult audience.
This was really interesting and easy to follow. There was a good number of relevant illustrations, a decent variety of illnesses discussed, and it had a very story like quality - we looked at the individuals and areas that an illness was being spread - it wasn’t dry or academic feeling, and I think anyone interested in infectious diseases and how they get started and spread, or just interested in history, could pick this up without much for knowledge and could follow along, pretty much at any age, even though it’s written to an adult audience.