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Loading... The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Ageby Nathan Wolfe
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. I am not sure what the central premise was, behind this book by Richard Preston. On the whole, I was disappointed by the book. I had the impression that Richard Preston was more intent in talking about himself, and less about the spread of viruses and disease. The book was full of anecdotes and stories. While entertaining, it did not serve the stated purpose of informing us how, and why, we will are faced with the prospect of an increasing number of pandemics. The section on the tools being developed to help us predict pandemics was vague. Finally, he did not discuss the societal and sociological aspects that impact the spread of disease. This is a disappointing book. Is it normal to read a book about viruses and pandemics when in the midst of a pandemic? No? I know that many around me are anxious, and for valid reasons, but I wanted more factual information about what we might be up against. I haven't studied science since the early 1980's and so didn't want to read anything *too* technical. This book is about 1/3 factual, 2/3 memoir and very readable. Some basic information about viruses is given, followed by the various paths of virus transmission - both physical (through blood, bodily fluids, droplets, etc.) and socially (population density, travel, proximity to hunting of animals, etc). The author's experiences and opinions are intermixed. At the time of the writing the author was working methods to catch potential pandemics early and even had his own organization (Global Viral Forecasting) to do so. Looks like that organization took some new directions in 2019. Favorite quote: "Assuming that living in one location or courting a certain quality of life makes you immune from the risk of a pandemic is wrong." You said it Nathan. I didn't see this one coming (even with the news coming out of Wuhan in January 2020) and neither did a lot of people. no reviews | add a review
Awards
"Dynamic young Stanford biologist Nathan Wolfe reveals the surprising origins of the world's most deadly viruses, and how we can overcome catastrophic pandemics. In The Viral Storm, award-winning biologist Nathan Wolfe tells the story of how viruses and human beings have evolved side by side through history; how deadly viruses like HIV, swine flu, and bird flu almost wiped us out in the past; and why modern life has made our species vulnerable to the threat of a global pandemic. Wolfe's research missions to the jungles of Africa and the rain forests of Borneo have earned him the nickname "the Indiana Jones of virus hunters," and here Wolfe takes readers along on his groundbreaking and often dangerous research trips--to reveal the surprising origins of the most deadly diseases and to explain the role that viruses have played in human evolution. In a world where each new outbreak seems worse than the one before, Wolfe points the way forward, as new technologies are brought to bear in the most remote areas of the world to neutralize these viruses and even harness their power for the good of humanity. His provocative vision of the future will change the way we think about viruses, and perhaps remove a potential threat to humanity's survival"--
"The "Indiana Jones" of virus hunters reveals the complex interactions between humans and viruses, and the threat from viruses that jump from species to species"-- No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)616.9Technology Medicine and health Diseases Other diseasesLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I was most intrigued by the connection between viruses and behavioral change (rabies, cat ladies, cats, etc) and the connection being explored between viruses and devastating mental illness. Best wishes to the researchers at JHU. What a comfort it will be to those who suffer if they crack that nut, no pun intended. ( )