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Plagues and the Paradox of Progress
Book

Plagues and the Paradox of Progress

Why the World Is Getting Healthier in Worrisome Ways

Thomas J. Bollyky
MIT Press, 2018

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Background
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Thomas J. Bollyky, director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations, details the battle against infectious diseases in this fascinating look at history through the lens of microorganisms. He examines the societal influence of major infectious diseases through in-depth case histories. Bollyky explains that contagions still present grave challenges around the world, and suggests ways that governments and citizens can take meaningful action. Readers who enjoyed Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel will find compelling insights here – at least about germs – and anyone with an interest in the historic evolution of public health policy will also be intrigued.

Take-Aways

  • Plagues and parasites shaped migration patterns and the evolution of cities and states.
  • Contagions pose the greatest risk to children and unexposed populations.
  • Infectious diseases spread fastest in dense populations, and they have compelled governments to take action.

About the Author

Thomas J. Bollyky, JD, is the director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations and an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University.

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    A. 2 years ago
    I just downloaded the summary and its content is very disappointing. When I purchased the student package for $59, I expected a more thorough summarization of 20 to 30 pages of the contents of each chapter in the Bollyky's book, Plagues and the Paradox of Progress. I am very disappointed with the service you are providing!!!!
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      2 years ago
      Hello John, we are sorry to hear that you found the summary disappointing. getAbstract summaries and compresses knowledge from various content into 8-10 minute reads and not chapter by chapter.