In this slim volume, Torrey (Stanley Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland) and Yolken (director, Stanley Laborator of Developmental Neurovirology, pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) have written a history for the non-specialist that tells of the long connection between animal-carried diseases and humans, including salmonella, H5N1 bird flu, Lyme disease, and the plague. Filled with disturbing facts and statistics, the account includes descriptions of each illness, its origins, various strains, mortality rate, recent outbreaks, and risky behavior or practice that make the disease viable. The reader will come away with a clear notion of the risks of owning exotic pets, the importance of good hygiene, and the potential for disease implicit in the current practices of animal husbandry and food preparation. A glossary is included. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR