SKU: 71701097813

Plagues and the Paradox of Progress: Why the World Is Getting Healthier in Worrisome Ways

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Plagues and the Paradox of Progress: Why the World Is Getting Healthier in Worrisome WaysWhy the news about the global decline of infectious diseases is not all good. Plagues and parasites have played a central role in world affairs, shaping the evolution of the modern state, the growth of cities, and the disparate fortunes of national economies. This book tells that story, but it is not about the resurgence of pestilence. It is the story of its decline. For the first time in recorded history, virus, bacteria, and other infectious

Why the news about the global decline of infectious diseases is not all good.

Plagues and parasites have played a central role in world affairs, shaping the evolution of the modern state, the growth of cities, and the disparate fortunes of national economies. This book tells that story, but it is not about the resurgence of pestilence. It is the story of its decline. For the first time in recorded history, virus, bacteria, and other infectious diseases are not the leading cause of death or disability in any region of the world. People are living longer, and fewer mothers are giving birth to many children in the hopes that some might survive. And yet, the news is not all good. Recent reductions in infectious disease have not been accompanied by the same improvements in income, job opportunities, and governance that occurred with these changes in wealthier countries decades ago. There have also been unintended consequences. In this book, Thomas Bollyky explores the paradox in our fight against infectious disease: the world is getting healthier in ways that should make us worry.

Bollyky interweaves a grand historical narrative about the rise and fall of plagues in human societies with contemporary case studies of the consequences. Bollyky visits Dhaka--one of the most densely populated places on the planet--to show how low-cost health tools helped enable the phenomenon of poor world megacities. He visits China and Kenya to illustrate how dramatic declines in plagues have affected national economies. Bollyky traces the role of infectious disease in the migrations from Ireland before the potato famine and to Europe from Africa and elsewhere today.

Historic health achievements are remaking a world that is both worrisome and full of opportunities. Whether the peril or promise of that progress prevails, Bollyky explains, depends on what we do next.

A Council on Foreign Relations Book



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 10/01/2019
ISBN: 9780262537964
Pages: 280
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.10w x 0.70d
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SKU: 71701097813

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Totoro ro ro
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
2nd grade son's favorite book of all time!
Format: Paperback
So this is not classic children's literature with beautifully written passages a la The Velveteen Rabbit. This IS, however, the only book my 7 year old son has read repeatedly (6 times?) and BEGGED me to buy so that we would have our own copy when it was time to return it to the library. Santa brought him 3 gifts this year- a Cozmo robot, a drone, and this book- they were all displayed together. Guess which one elicited the first scream? "Sparks!!! Santa brought me Sparks!!!" This comic book is not Shakespeare for children but the story is creative and FUNNY, the illustrations are great, and boy does it keep my kids' attention (my 4th grade daughter also loves it, though not to the obsessive extent of my boy). Get it- your child will love it. This is not a book for YOU to read aloud- this is for the child to read on his/her own. So when The Wind in the Willows has them yawning, hand them this instead.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019
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MJ25
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
My son loved these books!
Format: Paperback
We found this book at the library. I was struggling to have my 7 year old read a book he was interested in. He started reading this and couldn't put it down. We bought the other two and he flew through reading them. He laughed and said it was such a good book that I need to read it. We have a pet cat named August so that was what peaked his interest and he loved that!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022
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L. Robertson
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Wonderful book for all ages!
Format: Paperback
What a delightful book this is! So far I have ordered one for myself...and one for an 8 year old grandson. My 11 year old grandson has borrowed my copy, and so far I don't have it back, so I'll be needing to purchase another one! The story is funny and heartwarming and wonderfully original. The drawing is perfect for the characters and settings, all enhanced by the marvelous and vivid color. Buy this book! Everyone you know will appreciate it!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2018
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Shawn A Lodico
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
10 year old reluctant reader LOVES THIS BOOK!!!!
Format: Paperback
I'm constantly trying to find books to tempt my 10yr old reluctant reader. He LOVES this book!! He has been reading it outloud to our dogs, and at several points I could hear him absolutely cracking up. The artwork is fantastic, the plot is hilarious. Honestly I'm enjoying it as much as my son (and the dogs!). Yesterday he had a friend over.... and instead of making a beeline for the xbox as usual.... my son said, "let me show you my new book" and proceeds to read a particularly funny portion outloud. Both boys laughing. Truly, 5 stars. (PS author, please say you've already started the second installment??)
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018
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Ursiform
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Amusing cartoons
Format: Paperback
So two cats create a mechanical dog suit to fight crime and, in the end, save the planet. Mostly fun times, although there are some stretches of credulity in the overall story. Generally fun, however.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2018

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