“Any attempt to shape the world and modify human personality in order to create a self-chosen pattern of life involves many unknown consequences. Human destiny is bound to remain a gamble, because at some unpredictable time and in some unforeseeable manner nature will strike back.”
—Mirage of Health, René Dubos, 1959

Let me begin by saying that this book, which was originally published in 1994, is a tome. It clocked in at 1625 pages on my phone. But if you are wanting an in depth, “leave no detail behind” book on plagues from the 20th century - look no further.

Although this book may be nearly 30 years old, a basic truth that continues to this day is that humanity will be fighting the war on microbes for as long as humans occupy this planet. While we consider ourselves to be at the top of the food chain, the reality is that these microbes are our predators and these predators are immensely adaptable; changing and evolving at a much faster pace than us.

A key takeaway from this book is that the world wasn’t ready for the 1918 influenza pandemic, the AIDS pandemic, or any of the other viral diseases mentioned. The world was also not ready for the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the chances that we will be ready for the next coming plague?