Flu

The fascinating true story of the world's deadliest disease, from a New York Times–bestselling author and veteran science journalist.

“Moves at a rapid pace, with vivid prose and graphic scenes. . . . A masterly recounting of medical history.” —Dr. Jerome Groopman, Boston Sunday Globe

In 1918, the Great Flu Epidemic felled the young and healthy virtually overnight. An estimated forty million people died as the epidemic raged. Children were left orphaned and families were devastated. As many American soldiers were killed by the 1918 flu as were killed in battle during World War I. And no area of the globe was safe. Eskimos living in remote outposts in the frozen tundra were sickened and killed by the flu in such numbers that entire villages were wiped out.

Scientists have recently rediscovered shards of the flu virus frozen in Alaska and preserved in scraps of tissue in a government warehouse. Gina Kolata, an acclaimed reporter for The New York Times, unravels the mystery of this lethal virus with the high drama of a great adventure story. Delving into the history of the flu and previous epidemics, detailing the science and the latest understanding of this mortal disease, Kolata addresses the prospects for a great epidemic recurring, and, most important, what can be done to prevent it.

“Kolata reports this story with all the fervor of Coleridge’s ancient mariner, gripping her readers in the book’s first paragraph and not letting go until her tale is told.” —John R. Alden, The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Kolata commands the intelligent curiosity, well-honed reporting techniques, and smooth prose style of a top science reporter.” —Beryl Lieff Benderly, The Washington Post