Scourge
The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox

A book that is broken into 3 parts, a brief history of smallpox , which is well done, the bulk of the book then deals with the WOrld Health Organization successful attempt to eradicate smallpox, this is when the book really drags, the read turns into a slog as it simply deals with the Bureaucratic w......more

A virus (—ahem‚—) can turn the course of history. Smallpox was once a threat and still is a threat ... it is chilling to read about the corners of the world that still hold the smallpox virus, as well as the laboratories that keep some in stock — for research purposes. By almost eradicating this dis......more

Smallpox was a far greater killer than the plague, but is fading from memory after its successful elimination. This well-written book covers the history and the suspenseful drive to risky variolation, safer vaccination, and the eventual end to the scourge. Smallpox killed about 1/3 of its victims an......more