Humanity's Burden
A Global History of Malaria
£23.99
Part of Studies in Environment and History
- Author: James L. A. Webb, Jr, Colby College, Maine
- Date Published: March 2009
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521670128
£
23.99
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
Humanity's Burden provides a panoramic overview of the history of malaria. It traces the long arc of malaria out of tropical Africa into Eurasia, its transfer to the Americas during the early years of the Columbian exchange, and its retraction from the middle latitudes into the tropics since the late nineteenth century. Adopting a broadly comparative approach to historical patterns and processes, it synthesizes research findings from the natural and social sciences and weaves these understandings into a narrative that reaches from the earliest evidence of malaria infections in tropical Africa up to the present. Written in a style that is easily accessible to non-specialists, it considers the significance of genetic mutations, diet, lifestyle, migration, warfare, palliative and curative treatment, and efforts to interrupt transmission on the global distribution of malaria.
Read more- Malaria kills millions every year and has existed for as long as humans – key to the history of humankind
- Narrative style that draws in the significance of factors such as lifestyle and warfare – the topic is understandable by non-specialists
- Incorporates the most recent research, providing information on the very latest understanding of the disease
Reviews & endorsements
'No disease is more indicative of social and environmental change than malaria. Its geographical distribution and incidence have been intimately related to all fields of human endeavour, from the production of food to upheavals such as war and mass migration. James Webb's ecological history of malaria provides keen insights into this persistent affliction and into the history of humanity itself. His magisterial synthesis will be admired by historians and malariologists alike.' Mark Harrison, University of Oxford
See more reviews'A lucid and stimulating account of how malaria has become the extraordinarily complex disease that it is today. The reader learns of the multitude of factors that have contributed to malaria's diversity and spread – physical ecology, population movements, war, agricultural practices, application of prophylaxis measures, availability of drugs, et al – each with its own history. Those who wish to control malaria will learn why their measures must be tailored to each situation according to how this history has played out locally, if they wish to avoid the trap of assuming that what works in one place will work elsewhere.' Socrates Litsios, Retired WHO Senior Scientist Author of The Tomorrow of Malaria
'Humanity's Burden is a remarkable effort; superbly researched, elegantly expressed, and possessed of an unstinting clarity of purpose.' The Lancet
'Humanity's Burden is testimony of a twofold success. The work offers a historico-epidemiological synthesis devoid of unnecessary technical language on a serious pathology of utmost importance in the world today. Epidemiologists, economists, anthropologists and students can draw on it with considerable benefit. It is also a very convincing essay on global history, both from inside (explaining the persistence of the virulence of the infection by studying the connections between different local epidemiologies) and from outside (integrating the advances in the social and natural science). The book is enriched by an abundant bibliography.' Medical History
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: March 2009
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521670128
- length: 250 pages
- dimensions: 226 x 150 x 18 mm
- weight: 0.34kg
- contains: 2 b/w illus. 8 maps
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Early tropical Africa
2. Into Eurasia
3. Into the Americas
4. Bitter medicines
5. Toward global public health
6. Africa redux.Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Advanced Seminar in History
- Disease & Developing World
- Disease and Epidemics in History
- Environment and Empire
- From Imperial Medicine to Global Health
- History of African Civilizations
- Human Health and the Environment in History
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×