This is a fascinating journey through the history of epidemics that focuses on the less-told story of how societies have responded collectively to them-and what those responses reveal about our fears, beliefs, and the times in question. In "Dread", Philip Alcabes journeys through the history of epidemics, from the ancients to the present, to reveal how, more often than being pervasive threats, epidemics offer an accurate litmus test of our times, and our greatest fears. "Dread" dissects the fascinating story of the imagined epidemic: the one that we think is happening, or might happen; the one that frightens us, disguises moral meanings and political agendas and, at heart, reveals the deep seated fear within us all.

About the Author

Philip Alcabes has spent over 25 years researching hepatitis, AIDS, tuberculosis, and other epidemic diseases, and has been an author or co-author on 45 peer-reviewed articles in the professional literature. He is an Associate Professor of Urban Public Health at Hunter College of the City University of New York and Visiting Clinical Associate Professor at the Yale School of Nursing. Besides articles in the professional literature, Alcabes has published opinion pieces for the Washington Post and essays on science and public health. He lives in Riverdale, New York.

Reviews

"the horrifying notion of epidemic disease is so ingrained that you will be halfway through this intriguing book before you realise just how hysterical we all are." BBC Focus Magazine "the next time you see someone wearing a face mask on the Tube...hit them over the head with (this) book"!!! The Sunday Times"