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Vaccines: Mythology, Ideology, and Reality
The word “vaccine” derives from the Latin word for cow. The English physician, Edward Jenner, coined it in his 1798 pamphlet An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae. The last two Latin words mean “Smallpox of the Cow,” or cowpox. Jenner postulated that cowpox causes mild disease in humans while protecting them from the more dangerous smallpox. His proposal for inoculation with a weak form of disease-causing matter to prevent serious illness became the central concept of infectious disease medicine and has remained so ever since. The word “vaccine” was subsequently applied to immunizations against all infectious diseases. Its etymology is amazingly apt, because vaccines are the ultimate sacred cow.
Mythology, Ideology, and Reality tells the story of this technology and the celebrated men who developed it with some success, but also with failures that are never mentioned in the celebratory literature on vaccines. Vaccine advocates often proclaim that they “follow the science,” but most vaccine development has been a matter of guesses, gambles, and wild experimentation. Its key figures have been biased by religious faith, wishful thinking, ideology, and a desire for recognition and money.
Though credit is due to some vaccines for reducing infectious disease morbidity and mortality, their contribution to public health in developed nations has been grossly exaggerated by propagandists. Dramatic improvements in nutrition and sanitation were the primary drivers of this trend. The authors do not dismiss the concept of vaccination but seek to promote a more informed and less dogmatic discussion about its risks and benefits. Critical evaluation can only make the technology safer and more effective.
Mythology, Ideology, and Reality tells the story of this technology and the celebrated men who developed it with some success, but also with failures that are never mentioned in the celebratory literature on vaccines. Vaccine advocates often proclaim that they “follow the science,” but most vaccine development has been a matter of guesses, gambles, and wild experimentation. Its key figures have been biased by religious faith, wishful thinking, ideology, and a desire for recognition and money.
Though credit is due to some vaccines for reducing infectious disease morbidity and mortality, their contribution to public health in developed nations has been grossly exaggerated by propagandists. Dramatic improvements in nutrition and sanitation were the primary drivers of this trend. The authors do not dismiss the concept of vaccination but seek to promote a more informed and less dogmatic discussion about its risks and benefits. Critical evaluation can only make the technology safer and more effective.
- GenresNonfictionHealthMedicine
240 pages, Hardcover
Published July 29, 2025
112 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
John Leake
47 books49 followersBorn in Dallas, Texas, John Leake went to Vienna, Austria on a graduate school scholarship and ended up living in the city for over a decade, working as a freelance writer and translator. His first book, Entering Hades: The Double Life of a Serial Killer (Sarah Crichton Books, FSG) was a New York Times Sunday Book Review "Editors' Choice," a Men's Vogue "Best Book of 2007," and the inspiration of The Infernal Comedy, starring John Malkovich.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 4, 2025
Myth Buster
This book tells a history that is not taught in schools. Very, very few people have any idea of the actual discovery, development and implementation of vaccines. This book is an eye opener. The disease management (please don't kid yourself thinking it is a 'health' care system) pharmaceutical priesthood has been very successful in converting the masses to their very lucrative method of achieving longevity. Drugs and vaccines are a poor substitute for a healthfully maintained body with a fully functioning immune system.
This book tells a history that is not taught in schools. Very, very few people have any idea of the actual discovery, development and implementation of vaccines. This book is an eye opener. The disease management (please don't kid yourself thinking it is a 'health' care system) pharmaceutical priesthood has been very successful in converting the masses to their very lucrative method of achieving longevity. Drugs and vaccines are a poor substitute for a healthfully maintained body with a fully functioning immune system.
August 3, 2025
A must for anyone who wants to be an informed “consumer”
I have been following Dr McCullough since the early days of the fake Covid pandemic. I used to accept what doctors said, blindly. Dr McCullough, I believe, is the foremost expert on Covid and vaccines in general. Just bought the book. Can’t wait to read it.
I have been following Dr McCullough since the early days of the fake Covid pandemic. I used to accept what doctors said, blindly. Dr McCullough, I believe, is the foremost expert on Covid and vaccines in general. Just bought the book. Can’t wait to read it.
August 19, 2025
Idols Exposed
Immunity by governmental authorizations create false gods with masteries that enslave and reign over life and the creative way of truth. This book dives deep into exposing the realities of this unseen beast!
Immunity by governmental authorizations create false gods with masteries that enslave and reign over life and the creative way of truth. This book dives deep into exposing the realities of this unseen beast!
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August 12, 2025Ironic that he should mention, "A desire for recognition and money", as motivation. John Leake is not a doctor, nor is he a scientist.
September 7, 2025
The shocking truth finally revealed
This well researched book reveals the shocking history of how vaccines have been pushed on an unsuspecting public for hundreds of years. The authors explain in terms that non medical people can understand, the dangers that vaccines pose. Everyone should read this book to understand why
The Big Pharma/ Big Government duopoly want to stop the truth from coming out. All parents need to read this in order to protect their children from getting multiple vaccines at once. There are plenty of red flags and more studies need to be made to determine what is causing the adverse effects from vaccines. Our government through the FDA, NIH, CDC etc has been lying to us!
This well researched book reveals the shocking history of how vaccines have been pushed on an unsuspecting public for hundreds of years. The authors explain in terms that non medical people can understand, the dangers that vaccines pose. Everyone should read this book to understand why
The Big Pharma/ Big Government duopoly want to stop the truth from coming out. All parents need to read this in order to protect their children from getting multiple vaccines at once. There are plenty of red flags and more studies need to be made to determine what is causing the adverse effects from vaccines. Our government through the FDA, NIH, CDC etc has been lying to us!
September 14, 2025
Exposes misconceptions about vaccines over the centuries
This book exposes the complexities of developing safe vaccines going back to the first smallpox vaccine experimentation and following the evolution and deceptions along the way culminating in MMR and Covid vaccines. Read this for your and your childrens health.
This book exposes the complexities of developing safe vaccines going back to the first smallpox vaccine experimentation and following the evolution and deceptions along the way culminating in MMR and Covid vaccines. Read this for your and your childrens health.
September 17, 2025
Must read!
Great synopsis on the history and truth behind vaccines in a succinct and not too lengthy read. If you haven't educated yourself on vaccines this is a great place to start!
Great synopsis on the history and truth behind vaccines in a succinct and not too lengthy read. If you haven't educated yourself on vaccines this is a great place to start!
September 27, 2025
Amazing how much has been hidden from us
As an educated individual I tried to stay abreast of all new information bring disseminated. Now I am learning how.much I have been deceived. I never trusted the covid vaccine - I couldn't understand how they could have developed it so fast - now I know they actually have been planning this for decades and it was necessary to get the media propaganda to gain acceptance.
I strongly suggest everyone read this entirely!
As an educated individual I tried to stay abreast of all new information bring disseminated. Now I am learning how.much I have been deceived. I never trusted the covid vaccine - I couldn't understand how they could have developed it so fast - now I know they actually have been planning this for decades and it was necessary to get the media propaganda to gain acceptance.
I strongly suggest everyone read this entirely!
September 28, 2025
excellent thoroughly researched expository of history and present day nature of vaccines
Everyone should read this book. Eye opening expose of how unsafe and untested medications were mandated on a global scale.
Everyone should read this book. Eye opening expose of how unsafe and untested medications were mandated on a global scale.
December 20, 2025
So much interesting information about the history of, and presently administered vaccines.
“ the most astonishing feature of the vaccine religion was that the fervent faith of it votaries was not in the least shaken by the fact that the vaccine did not - as originally promised by its creators- prevent infection and transmission of the disease.” P. 174. Just one brief quote.
Everyone should read this book and act on the knowledge it brings.
“ the most astonishing feature of the vaccine religion was that the fervent faith of it votaries was not in the least shaken by the fact that the vaccine did not - as originally promised by its creators- prevent infection and transmission of the disease.” P. 174. Just one brief quote.
Everyone should read this book and act on the knowledge it brings.
September 7, 2025
This is amazing. How can anyone believe that vaccines provide better protection than what God has already given to us?
We have been created in the image and likeness of God. There is no need for vaccines for the vast majority of the population.
We have been created in the image and likeness of God. There is no need for vaccines for the vast majority of the population.
October 31, 2025
Highly recommended--especially for the vax-injured and anyone still doubting the damage done by the Covid vax. The extensive history here also makes this book a worthwhile read even for those already on the right side of the vax debate.
September 19, 2025
Read this before you take another Covid vaccine booster or give any vaccines to your children. They are not anti-vacers, just reasonable scientific men!
October 16, 2025
A interesting argument for the corruption of medical science caused by corporate greed.
October 19, 2025
Great overview of the corruption of big pharma.
December 1, 2025
Such a good book. I would have been happy if it was even longer. So interesting. I recommend to high schoolers on up.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews