About the book
The history of disease is the history of humankind: an interpretation of the world as seen through the extraordinary impact—political, demographic, ecological, and psychological—of disease on cultures.
\"A book of the first importance, a truly revolutionary work.\" —The New Yorker
From the conquest of Mexico by smallpox as much as by the Spanish, to the bubonic plague in China, to the typhoid epidemic in Europe, Plagues and Peoples is \"a brilliantly conceptualized and challenging achievement\" (Kirkus Reviews). Upon its original publication, Plagues and Peoples was an immediate critical and popular success, offering a radically new interpretation of world history. With the identification of AIDS in the early 1980s, another chapter was added to this chronicle of events, which William McNeill explores in his introduction to this edition.
Thought-provoking, well-researched, and compulsively readable, Plagues and Peoples is essential reading—that rare book that is as fascinating as it is scholarly, as intriguing as it is enlightening.
Editions of Plagues and Peoples
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780385121224
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307773661
Read an Excerpt
The history of disease is the history of humankind: an interpretation of the world as seen through the extraordinary impact—political, demographic, ecological, and psychological—of disease on cultures.
\"A book of the first importance, a truly revolutionary work.\" —The New Yorker
From the conquest of Mexico by smallpox as much as by the Spanish, to the bubonic plague in China, to the typhoid epidemic in Europe, Plagues and Peoples is \"a brilliantly conceptualized and challenging achievement\" (Kirkus Reviews). Upon its original publication, Plagues and Peoples was an immediate critical and popular success, offering a radically new interpretation of world history. With the identification of AIDS in the early 1980s, another chapter was added to this chronicle of events, which William McNeill explores in his introduction to this edition.
Thought-provoking, well-researched, and compulsively readable, Plagues and Peoples is essential reading—that rare book that is as fascinating as it is scholarly, as intriguing as it is enlightening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plagues and Peoples about?
The history of disease is the history of humankind: an interpretation of the world as seen through the extraordinary impact—political, demographic, ecological, and psychological—of disease on cultures.
\"A book of the first importance, a truly revolutionary work.\" —The New Yorker
From the conquest of Mexico by smallpox as much as by the Spanish, to the bubonic plague in China, to the typhoid epidemic in Europe, Plagues and Peoples is \"a brilliantly conceptualized and challenging achievement\" (Kirkus Reviews). Upon its original publication, Plagues and Peoples was an immediate critical and popular success, offering a radically new interpretation of world history. With the identification of AIDS in the early 1980s, another chapter was added to this chronicle of events, which William McNeill explores in his introduction to this edition.
Thought-provoking, well-researched, and compulsively readable, Plagues and Peoples is essential reading—that rare book that is as fascinating as it is scholarly, as intriguing as it is enlightening.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Plagues and Peoples?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social and ethical issues > Health, illness or addiction: social aspects
Where can I read a sample of Plagues and Peoples?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385121224
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Plagues and Peoples?
William McNeill
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Plagues and Peoples is available as paperback(ISBN 9780385121224) and ebook(ISBN 9780307773661)
Where can I buy Plagues and Peoples online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Plagues and Peoples from below
Where can I buy Plagues and Peoples?