I think the reviewers here did a great job describing the features of this book, both good and not-so-good. So I won't try to duplicate their efforts.
Instead I'd like to add a few other items they didn't cover. Dr. John Snow did a great job fighting against popular opinion that diseases were spread by "bad air," as he was almost certain cholera was water-borne. His reputation is now firmly established in medical history. But I found some items in the notes which might be overlooked by readers. For example, there is a John Snow Society which even has a website, and while the infamous water pump no longer exists, very close to where it once was is the John Snow pub. If I could have a pub named after me when I die, I might consider dying sooner! :-)
Here is a fascinating quote from early in the book:
"If some rogue virus wiped out every single mammal on the planet, life on Earth would proceed largely unaffected by the loss. But if the bacteria disappeared overnight, all life on this planet would be extinguished within a matter of years,"
And the author lets us know just how important tea and beer were to the survival of the human species. So, if you are concerned about your water supply, stop drinking coffee and soda and switch to tea and beer.
Instead I'd like to add a few other items they didn't cover. Dr. John Snow did a great job fighting against popular opinion that diseases were spread by "bad air," as he was almost certain cholera was water-borne. His reputation is now firmly established in medical history. But I found some items in the notes which might be overlooked by readers. For example, there is a John Snow Society which even has a website, and while the infamous water pump no longer exists, very close to where it once was is the John Snow pub. If I could have a pub named after me when I die, I might consider dying sooner! :-)
Here is a fascinating quote from early in the book:
"If some rogue virus wiped out every single mammal on the planet, life on Earth would proceed largely unaffected by the loss. But if the bacteria disappeared overnight, all life on this planet would be extinguished within a matter of years,"
And the author lets us know just how important tea and beer were to the survival of the human species. So, if you are concerned about your water supply, stop drinking coffee and soda and switch to tea and beer.
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