Murderous Contagion by Mary Dobson

Disease is the true 'serial killer' of human history: the horrors of bubonic plague, cholera, syphilis, smallpox, tuberculosis and the like have claimed more lives and caused more misery than the depredations of warfare, famine and natural disasters combined. Murderous contagion tells the story of the devastating impact of diseases on humankind - from the Black Death of the 14th century to the Spanish flu of 1918-19 and the AIDS epidemic of the modern era. In this fascinating book, Mary Dobson also relates the endeavours of physicians and scientists to battle against disease, including the successful struggle to eradicate smallpox.

This is a timely and revelatory work of popular history by a writer whose knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, her subject shines out from every word.