Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues

Dr Jonathan Kennedy argues that infectious diseases have shaped human history at every stage, from Homo sapiens' success over Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. He explores how an Indonesian volcano contributed to the Black Death, how a small force extracted a massive ransom from a much larger army, and how the Industrial Revolution led to the modern welfare state. Kennedy presents scientific evidence that infectious diseases are fundamental to human existence. A virus inserted itself into human DNA, preventing egg-laying, and bacteria in the human body equal human cells in number. He contends that evolution should be understood not simply through human strength and intelligence, but through how humans live alongside microbes. By examining humanity's relationship with infectious diseases, Kennedy demonstrates their role in major historical transformations over the past 50,000 years. The book draws on cutting-edge science to reframe how we understand human development and survival.