Biology of Plagues: Evidence from Historical Populations [Paperback]

Susan Scott (Author), Christopher J. Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0521017769 | ISBN-13: 978-0521017763

The threat of unstoppable plagues, such as AIDS and Ebola, is always with us. In Europe, the most devastating plagues were those from the Black Death pandemic in the 1300s to the Great Plague of London in 1665. For the past 100 years it has been accepted that Yersinia pestis, the infective agent of bubonic plague, was responsible for these epidemics. This book combines modern concepts of epidemiology and molecular biology with computer-modeling. Applying these concepts to the analysis of historical epidemics, the authors show that they were not, in fact, outbreaks of bubonic plague. Biology of Plagues offers a completely new interdisciplinary interpretation of the plagues of Europe, and establishes them within a geographical, historical, and demographic framework. This fascinating detective work will be of interest to readers in the social and biological sciences, and lessons learned will underline the implications of historical plagues for modern-day epidemiology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...compelling..." American Journal of Human Biology

"The book is well-illustrated with maps, graphs and other data in tabular form and ends with an extensive bibliography...This fascinating work is strongly recommended to all microbiolgists, immunologists, epidemiologists, and historians of these related disciplines." Immunological Investigations

"Biology of Plagues" is a fascinating read for those interested in the history of infectious disease and it is provocative and thought provoking." Lancet North American ED

"...compelling...Scott and Duncan offer evidence that will convince readers and provoke historians to test their conclusions through additional research. This is an outstanding and complex book that not only makes a significant contribution to many different scholarly fields, but it reads like a detective story and is difficult to put down...this work is a key reinterpretation that will influence future research and the teaching of European and world history." Canadian Bulletin of Medical History

Book Description

The threat of unstoppable plague is an ever-present threat in these days of AIDS and Ebola. In the past, the Black Death and the Great Plague of London killed millions across Europe. Always assumed to be bubonic plague, this fascinating volume combining epidemiology and molecular biology with computer-modelling shows that it was not so. It will be of interest to a wide variety of readers in the social and biological sciences who are interested in the plagues of our past, and also in the implications for future epidemics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521017769
• ISBN-13: 978-0521017763
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,611,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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