Epidemics: The Impact of Germs and Their Power over Humanity
Unlike other books on epidemics, which either focus on the science behind how microbes cause disease or tell first-person accounts of one particular disease, Epidemics: The Impact of Germs and Their Power over Humanity takes a holistic approach to explain how these diseases have shaped who we are as a society. Each of the worst epidemic diseases is discussed from the perspective of how it has been a causative agent of change with respect to our history, religious traditions, social interactions, and technology. In looking at world history through the lens of epidemic diseases, readers will come to appreciate how much we owe to our oldest and smallest parasites.
Adults and students interested in science and history―and especially anyone who appreciates a good story and has a healthy curiosity for the lesser-known facts of life―will find this book of interest. Health-care workers will also benefit greatly from this text, as will college students majoring in biology or a pre-health field.
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Book details
- Author
- Joshua Loomis
- Imprint
- Turner Publishing Company
- Published
- Formats
- Paperback
- Subjects
- Social Science › Disease & Health Issues
History › Social History
Medical › Epidemiology - Topics
- infectious disease history · public health · epidemiology · social impact of disease · history of medicine · pandemics · microbiology
- ISBN-13
- 9781684426737
About the author
JOSHUA S. LOOMIS holds a PhD in Microbiology and is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Epidemics: The Impact of Germs and Their Power over Humanity.
Loomis earned his B.A. from the University of Florida in 1998 and his PhD from Pennsylvania State University in 2003. He has taught courses in microbiology and epidemic disease for more than twelve years, covering Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Pathogenic Microbiology, and Virology.
When not writing, Loomis conducts research on mixed microbial biofilms, antibiotic discovery, and the history of epidemic diseases. That work in microbiology and virology underpins his writing on the role of germs in shaping human history.