First published 1977
William Hardy McNeill examines how infectious diseases have shaped the course of human civilization. The University of Chicago professor argues that epidemics have triggered major political and social transformations throughout history. McNeill traces the devastating impact of smallpox and measles on indigenous populations, documents how influenza pandemics altered the balance of power between nations, and explores the social consequences of syphilis, cholera, and malaria outbreaks. He pays particular attention to the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic that killed 21 million people worldwide. The book demonstrates how biological factors have influenced historical events as much as wars, economics, or politics. McNeill offers readers a framework for understanding how disease transmission has determined which civilizations flourished and which collapsed, revealing patterns that traditional historical accounts often overlook.
Genres: history, science, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
377 pages · Hardcover · Basil Blackwell (Oxford)