Diseases Without Borders: Plagues, Pandemics, and Beyond

Gr 8 Up–Chemistry professor Zimmer provides a concise and fascinating history detailing the connections between ­human mobilization, urbanization, and the spread of infectious diseases, from bubonic plagues to COVID-19. Zimmer starts with ­pre-industrialization and the key types of plagues. He next discusses the 1918 flu and human mobilization, including breaking down different types of influenza. ­Following this is dengue fever and global urbanization, with fascinating details on how the tightly packed population of cities interact with disease life cycles. A chapter on malaria and climate change provides key information on how warming climates have led to the exposure of zombie pathogens and more ­waterborne diseases. ­Going into today’s issues, Zimmer discusses ­COVID-19 and spillover effects from tightening gaps between humans and animals. Instead of simply ending with this most recent pandemic, ­Zimmer finishes with an interesting discussion on misinformation and information ­literacy. The book itself is visually ­appealing, with smaller ­vignettes interspersed through the main text, helpful graphs and illustrations, and neon ­colors to hold attention. Overall, the text is ­presented nicely for discussing the intersection between a hard science and ­social science subject matter. Supplementary materials at the end of the book include a timeline, glossary, and selected bibliography. ­