Many people have heard about Ebola virus disease, influenza, Coronaviruses. However, what are they? They are known as Zoonotic diseases (zoonoses). They are infectious diseases, transmitted from animals to humans. 60% of infectious diseases we get are zoonotic, and 75 % of “emerging” infectious diseases are zoonotic. All future pandemics will be zoonotic. One should realize that catastrophic pandemics are the future. Habitat disruption, global warming, ecological disaster has exposed us to extremely deadly viruses.
If anyone wants to know more about these Zoonotic diseases, look no further; just pick up the masterpiece book from the dynamic storyteller, David Quammen in his 2012 book, Spillover – Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic. 592 pages of goldmine. Science reporting at its finest. Quammen is your guide who is going to tell you that “everything comes from somewhere”. A master at suspenseful narrative, the author has narrated incidents from all over the world that will shock the reader to the core.
A book that is informative, terrifying, and a real-life thriller about events that have happened in the past, present, and the author has mentioned we are yet to see pandemics that are more deadly in coming years. The author has gone to tremendous lengths to explain this Zoonotic disease in descriptive, yet simple language and with 36 pages bibliography. The author himself has accompanied the scientists in the field and his vivid description of the events makes this book one of the best books in science reporting. Technical details have never been explained so easily. Complicated words are explained in such an easy way that any reader can understand them.
Spillover – Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic can be without a doubt classified as one magnificent piece of science reporting with exceptional clarity and spellbinding storytelling. Make no mistake; any non-fiction book lovers cannot ignore this book. It is one of those books that has to be read from start to end in one go! Readers will be hooked onto this book from the start itself. Very crisp writing. Note: Do not read this book before eating food. Some details are gore!
By Shine P Ramakrishnan
A double post-graduate in Commerce and Technology Management with experience in diverse sectors. An avid reader of non-fiction books and has an interest in knowing what is happening in the field of technology, arts and many areas. Listens to ambient, tranquillity, new age music and enjoys the soothing soundscapes
Facebook Comments