Mark Harrison is professor of the history of medicine and director of the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, University of Oxford. His previous books include Medicine and Victory: British Military Medicine in the Second World War and The Medical War: British Military Medicine in the First World War, for each of which he was awarded the Templer Medal. He lives in Oxford, UK.
'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
'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
*Paul Slack*
'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
*William Bernstein*
'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
*Stephen Porter*
"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
*MIchael Worboys*
“[A] detailed, scholarly examination of the politics of
pandemics.”—Kirkus Reviews
*Kirkus Reviews*
“Compelling.”—Publishers Weekly
*Publishers Weekly*
“An important book for a wide audience.”—Choice
*Choice*
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