William McNeill
Books by William McNeill
Plagues and Peoples
by William McNeill
William McNeill explores the historical context of the spread and effects of various diseases, smallpox in Mexico, the bubonic plague in China, typhoid in Europe and (in a later edition) AIDS. He looks at the political, demographic, ecological and psychological impact of these diseases on societies, essentially offering a fresh interpretation of world history, viewed from the impact of disease on culture. The book was hailed as an instant classic on its publication.
Interviews where books by William McNeill were recommended
The best books on Viruses, recommended by Dorothy H. Crawford
Many of us have developed a new fascination for viruses and virology during the global COVID-19 crisis. Here, Dorothy Crawford, professor of medical microbiology and the author of Viruses: A Very Short Introduction, selects five of the best books on viruses for the general reader.
Arthur Ammann recommends the best books on the HIV/Aids Plague
When dealing with epidemics, science does not have all the answers and relying on a new miracle drug is not always the solution. We must also learn the lessons of history, argues the veteran doctor of the HIV/Aids epidemic, Arthur Ammann. He picks the best books on ‘plagues.’
The best books on Technology and Nature, recommended by Daniel Headrick
The historian explains how the power of technology has affected man’s relationship with the rest of nature, and tells us what determines why some civilisations succeed and others fail
