Rats, Lice and History

by Hans Zinsser

Overview

Rats, Lice and History by Hans Zinsser is a compelling and unique exploration of the profound, often underestimated, role of infectious diseases, particularly typhus, in shaping human civilisation. Written by a distinguished bacteriologist, this classic work transcends traditional historical narratives by placing the humble rat and its parasitic passenger, the louse, at the centre of momentous historical events. Zinsser masterfully weaves together science, history, philosophy, and personal anecdote to demonstrate how epidemics have influenced wars, revolutions, and the rise and fall of empires. He argues that understanding the biology of disease vectors and pathogens is essential for a comprehensive understanding of human history. Far from a dry scientific text, Zinsser's witty and erudite prose makes this an engaging read that illuminates the hidden forces that have quietly but powerfully steered the course of human destiny. It's an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of biology, public health, and history."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447496854
Publisher:	Willard Press
Publication date:	11/08/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	312
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Allen Grimshaw

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Transaction Edition     ix
Preface     xxix
In the nature of an explanation and an apology     3
Being a discussion of the relationship between science and art     15
Leading up to the definition of bacteria and other parasites, and digressing briefly into the question of the origin of life     34
On parasitism in general, and on the necessity of considering the changing nature of infectious diseases in the historical study of epidemics     57
Being a continuation of Chapter IV, but dealing more particularly with so-called new diseases and with some that have disappeared     77
Diseases of the ancient world: a consideration of the epidemic diseases which afflicted the ancient world     105
A continuation of the consideration of diseases of the ancients, with particular attention to epidemics and the fall of Rome     128
On the influence of epidemic diseases on political and military history, and on the relative unimportance of generals     150
On the louse: we are now ready to consider the environment which has helped to form the character of our subject     166
More about the louse: the need for this chapter will be apparent to those who have entered into the spirit of this biography     179
Much about rats - a little about mice     189
We are at last arriving at the point at which we can approach the subjectof this biography directly     212
In which we consider the birth, childhood, and adolescence of typhus     229
In which we follow the earliest epidemic exploits of our disease     240
Young manhood: the period of early vigor and wild oats     265
Appraisal of a contemporary and prospects of future education and discipline     282

Editorial Reviews

"Zinsser's account of lice and men remains a delight. Written in 1935 as a latter-day variation on Laurence Sterne's The Life and Opinions of Tristam Shandy, Zinsser's book gives a picaresque account of how the history of the world has been shaped by epidemics of louseborne typhus.....Zinnser's romp through the ancient and modern worlds describes how epidemics devastated the Byzantines under Justinian, put Charles V atop the Holy Roman Empire, stopped the Turks at the Carpathians, and turned Napolean's Grand Armée back from Moscow." —Gerald Weissmann, Emerging Infectious Diseases "This book... is listed among the best sellers. The style is delightful, and the subject matter very interesting... [It gives an] account of man's defeats and victories against epidemics... Those who have read Dr. Zinsser's articles will enjoy this book, and to otehrs it will be a pleasant surprise." —Elizabeth Hard, The American Journal of Nursing "No one who buys this book will feel cheated." —H. M. Parshley, Nation "This book will surely be studied with great interest by the lay reader... [I]t presents "a fascinating blend of scientific and historical research, humour, and stimulating opinion." —The British Medical Journal “I had the fun of editing Hans’s book Rats, Lice and History, that unique account of what infectious diseases had done to change the fate of nations.” —Edward Weeks, The Atlantic

From the Publisher