Epidemic!: The World of Infectious Diseases

Description

Leading experts explain infectious disease in an illustrated companion to the acclaimed American Museum of Natural History's exhibit. Epidemic! explores the world of infectious disease with essays by Nobel Prize-winning experts, profiles of scientists and researchers, and case studies. Written for the general reader, Epidemic! offers a clear understanding of the threat of infectious diseases, from the flu and mad cow disease to HIV and tuberculosis. Leaders of organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control cover topics from controlling outbreaks and the emergence of new diseases to the problem of drug resistance. Individual case studies explore disease around the world, including the work of Doctors Without Borders, the cultural dimension of malaria, solving the riddle of cholera, and the race to find the AIDS virus. Published to coincide with the American Museum of Natural History's traveling exhibit called "the most impressive and informative exhibition the Museum has mounted in years" (New York Times), this book illustrates the important issues of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention throughout history and across cultures with more than eighty photographs and images. A resource section includes lists of organizations and Web sites, an annotated bibliography, and a glossary. Examining infectious disease from a natural history perspective, Epidemic! allows us to understand one of the most critical issues of the coming millennium.

Dr. Rob DeSalle is codirector of the molecular laboratories and associate curator at the American Museum of Natural History. He is also the author of The Science Behind Jurassic Park.

"Careful, logical, and intriguing instruction on an important subject. . . . This is all current and immediately relevant, and we're in the hands of expert teachers." -Kirkus Reviews "For medically and biologically inquisitive readers of almost any age." - Publishers Weekly "A top priority choice for public libraries. . . . If subsequent series entries succeed as well as this one, the museum will deserve high praise." - Booklist