'A book of impressive range and originality, well researched and well written.' - Michael Worboys, co-author of Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Rabies in Britain, 1830-2000
'Mark Harrison brings unrivalled expertise as a medical historian to his masterly account of how contagion and commerce have marched ahead together over the centuries. He shows that the weapons we use against the spread of infection have grown ever more sophisticated without becoming any more effective. Far from protecting mankind in general, they have often been manipulated to give extra advantage to rich over poor nations. This is genuinely global history, powerful and provocative, and a work of remarkable range and originality.'—Paul Slack, author of From Reformation to Improvement: Public Welfare in Early Modern England
'Mankind has for millennia conveyed trade goods over vast distances, and along with them, deadly pathogens. Understanding the resultant epidemics and, critically, the response to them requires a mastery of pathophysiology, propulsion technology, and political economy, and Contagion seamlessly synthesizes all three. This compact, compelling volume is essential reading for the concerned citizen of an increasingly connected, interdependent, and vulnerable planet.'—William J. Bernstein, author of A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World
'Mark Harrison's fascinating and thoroughly researched study traces the connections between trade and infectious diseases, exploring the diplomatic and political ramifications of quarantine and other measures taken to limit the spread of disease. It shows that such measures could be applied competitively for economic gain, as well as for prevention. A discussion of the impact of globalisation brings the subject entirely up to date. The book provides a complete and satisfying account of a complex series of issues, which have not been tackled so comprehensively before.'—Stephen Porter, author of The Great Plague
"A book of impressive range and originality, well researched and well written."—Michael Worboys, co-author of Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Rabies in Britain, 1830–2000
