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A Pox on Fools: The True Believers, Grifters, and Cynics Who Convinced Us to Reject Vaccines
An urgent and profound history of vaccine skepticism, seeking to understand how our three most common fears about vaccines hardened into a lethal ideology—from a leading science writer
“Brimming with righteous anger, this book should infuriate you for all the right reasons, and arm you to take on the grifters and their war against science.”—Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever The Human Story Retold Through Our Genes
Since the advent of smallpox inoculation in the eighteenth century, the idea that a disease introduced to the body in some lesser, weakened form might prevent full-blown infection has been one of the greatest public health insights of the modern era, inspiring the invention of numerous vaccines and saving countless human lives. But, just as humanity acquired the god-like power to stop infectious disease in its tracks, some feared we had gone too far, leading to the skepticism that has hijacked public health discourse today.
In three sweeping essays written for our current moment of scientific mistrust, Thomas Levenson searches for the origins of the most common arguments against that they are unnatural; that they are more dangerous than the illnesses they claim to prevent; and that they are an affront to freedom. Each arose from the earliest development of particular vaccines and the campaigns to distribute them. Even as the pattern repeats, Levenson reveals how innocent that skepticism initially was and, in each case, how very human fears and questions ultimately turned into something darker, where no truth would be enough to overcome the doubt.
Searing but ultimately empathetic, A Pox on Fools explores the human impulse to question and wonder—sometimes past the point at which the very act of questioning turns deadly.
“Brimming with righteous anger, this book should infuriate you for all the right reasons, and arm you to take on the grifters and their war against science.”—Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever The Human Story Retold Through Our Genes
Since the advent of smallpox inoculation in the eighteenth century, the idea that a disease introduced to the body in some lesser, weakened form might prevent full-blown infection has been one of the greatest public health insights of the modern era, inspiring the invention of numerous vaccines and saving countless human lives. But, just as humanity acquired the god-like power to stop infectious disease in its tracks, some feared we had gone too far, leading to the skepticism that has hijacked public health discourse today.
In three sweeping essays written for our current moment of scientific mistrust, Thomas Levenson searches for the origins of the most common arguments against that they are unnatural; that they are more dangerous than the illnesses they claim to prevent; and that they are an affront to freedom. Each arose from the earliest development of particular vaccines and the campaigns to distribute them. Even as the pattern repeats, Levenson reveals how innocent that skepticism initially was and, in each case, how very human fears and questions ultimately turned into something darker, where no truth would be enough to overcome the doubt.
Searing but ultimately empathetic, A Pox on Fools explores the human impulse to question and wonder—sometimes past the point at which the very act of questioning turns deadly.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published June 9, 2026
About the author
Thomas Levenson
15 books71 followersMy day job has me professing science writing at MIT, where I teach in the Institute's Graduate Program in Science Writing.
I continue to do what I did before I joined the professoriat: write books (and the occasional article), and make documentary films about science, its history, and its interaction with the broader culture in which scientific lives and discoveries unfold.
Besides writing, film making and generally being dour about the daily news, I lead an almost entirely conventional life in one of Boston's inner suburbs with a family that gives me great joy.
I continue to do what I did before I joined the professoriat: write books (and the occasional article), and make documentary films about science, its history, and its interaction with the broader culture in which scientific lives and discoveries unfold.
Besides writing, film making and generally being dour about the daily news, I lead an almost entirely conventional life in one of Boston's inner suburbs with a family that gives me great joy.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
While perhaps not the longest examination of this topic, and more so in the line of (another!) long form essay, this book follows the basic history of vaccines, as well as how we ended up where we are versus where we started. Alarmingly, the two are not quite as different as you would hope.
I found the segments in this book drawing parallels between the birth of vaccination and the modern era the most chilling. There’s something to be said when you have health officials parroting the misinformation of the 1800s, and most of that something involves a lot of swearing.
I do think that there could have been a bit more dedicated to the modern era and our current management of disinformation and misinformation from a social media perspective, but this was a very solid baseline. Well worth the read for those who are seeking to be more educated- and to argue against that one uncle at the family BBQ. You know the one I mean.
While perhaps not the longest examination of this topic, and more so in the line of (another!) long form essay, this book follows the basic history of vaccines, as well as how we ended up where we are versus where we started. Alarmingly, the two are not quite as different as you would hope.
I found the segments in this book drawing parallels between the birth of vaccination and the modern era the most chilling. There’s something to be said when you have health officials parroting the misinformation of the 1800s, and most of that something involves a lot of swearing.
I do think that there could have been a bit more dedicated to the modern era and our current management of disinformation and misinformation from a social media perspective, but this was a very solid baseline. Well worth the read for those who are seeking to be more educated- and to argue against that one uncle at the family BBQ. You know the one I mean.
June 25, 2026
I suppose for those of us with logic, rationality...and a brain...this is just an exercise in stating the obvious. But we've reached the point where stating-the-obvious might be all that stands between us and death thanks to what seems to be a powerful group of cunning, evil imbeciles. Everyone should be forced to read this small but powerful statement of facts.
July 28, 2026
I haven’t decided if it is reassuring or depressing that there has been vaccine deniers since the advent of vaccines. I appreciate that this well written book is focused on those who are against vaccines, and the consequences for public health when deniers come to power.
It’s a fascinating history of deniers and grows frightening when we get to our present situation. If you are ever involved in lively debates about who is the worst cabinet member, this will give you plenty of ammunition for RFK.
This is a powerful book.
It’s a fascinating history of deniers and grows frightening when we get to our present situation. If you are ever involved in lively debates about who is the worst cabinet member, this will give you plenty of ammunition for RFK.
This is a powerful book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Transistor radio jokes aside, what would help vaccine acceptance in the United States is if the government gave out escalatingly larger caliber small arms with each.
This is a book about the contemporary anti-vaccine movement. It is a quick, emotional polemic and does not pretend to be anything else. It derives three strands of vaccine hate – immoral, unsafe, and anti-free – and puts them in historical context. None of these are new, so the book can present some of their history. The author argues why it was wrong then and why it is wrong now, and he also notes some of the fuzzy bits (eg. pre-germ theory, there is at least some reason to approach vaccines with caution, in that the causality was unclear). If you are a sensible, it will make you mad. Okay, it will make you mad if you are insensible, but it should not. And in either case, it is well-sourced and full of recent events with which to contend.
The strongest part is unsafe. These are all the most mendacious claims but also the most difficult to pull out by the roots, since they run on vibes-based skepticism. While this book is too short for detailed coverage, the Wakefield disgrace is covered well. I also like this section because it gives the lie to the argument in a previous book that I did not like: the call is coming from inside the house. Publishers cannot successfully gatekeep if the actual scientists are doing an end run.
The weakest part is anti-free. This is the usual knife-to-a-gunfight problem of a scientist trying to do politics, which goes as well as when politicians try and do science. At best it is an appeal to pathos and at worse it serves the opposition (I can twist the logic here in a lot of malign ways). And it is interesting to read in the context of our tech overlords and the overlap of different forms of altruism. Mind you, I am not offering a better argument. If I knew that, I would write something other than non-fiction book reviews. Maybe the right way to put it is that there is not a better argument, there are only arguments that operate from different sets of values. The book treats it as if there was a conclusive argument and it amounts to something social-contract-y, which is insufficient.
The only real flaw here is the mis-blurbing, to the extent that there is much less history or sociology around the movement. But it is fine for what it is.
My thanks to the author, Thomas Levenson, for writing the book, and to the publisher, Random House, for making the ARC available to me.
This is a book about the contemporary anti-vaccine movement. It is a quick, emotional polemic and does not pretend to be anything else. It derives three strands of vaccine hate – immoral, unsafe, and anti-free – and puts them in historical context. None of these are new, so the book can present some of their history. The author argues why it was wrong then and why it is wrong now, and he also notes some of the fuzzy bits (eg. pre-germ theory, there is at least some reason to approach vaccines with caution, in that the causality was unclear). If you are a sensible, it will make you mad. Okay, it will make you mad if you are insensible, but it should not. And in either case, it is well-sourced and full of recent events with which to contend.
The strongest part is unsafe. These are all the most mendacious claims but also the most difficult to pull out by the roots, since they run on vibes-based skepticism. While this book is too short for detailed coverage, the Wakefield disgrace is covered well. I also like this section because it gives the lie to the argument in a previous book that I did not like: the call is coming from inside the house. Publishers cannot successfully gatekeep if the actual scientists are doing an end run.
The weakest part is anti-free. This is the usual knife-to-a-gunfight problem of a scientist trying to do politics, which goes as well as when politicians try and do science. At best it is an appeal to pathos and at worse it serves the opposition (I can twist the logic here in a lot of malign ways). And it is interesting to read in the context of our tech overlords and the overlap of different forms of altruism. Mind you, I am not offering a better argument. If I knew that, I would write something other than non-fiction book reviews. Maybe the right way to put it is that there is not a better argument, there are only arguments that operate from different sets of values. The book treats it as if there was a conclusive argument and it amounts to something social-contract-y, which is insufficient.
The only real flaw here is the mis-blurbing, to the extent that there is much less history or sociology around the movement. But it is fine for what it is.
My thanks to the author, Thomas Levenson, for writing the book, and to the publisher, Random House, for making the ARC available to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In three sweeping essays written for our current moment of scientific mistrust, Thomas Levenson traces the origins of some of the most common arguments against vaccines: that they are unnatural, more dangerous than the illnesses they claim to prevent, and ultimately an affront to personal freedom.
While not an especially deep dive, Levenson’s book is concise and remarkably effective. I would have happily read a much longer examination of this topic, especially because the author manages to condense so much history, science, and political context into writing that feels accessible and easy to follow. At the same time, the brevity of the book makes it especially approachable for readers who might otherwise feel intimidated by heavier nonfiction subjects.
It is clear throughout that Levenson writes from a place of extensive research and credible sourcing. This is one of those books I wish could reach the very people most likely to dismiss it outright, because it presents its arguments with clarity, restraint, and an emphasis on historical context rather than sensationalism.
While not an especially deep dive, Levenson’s book is concise and remarkably effective. I would have happily read a much longer examination of this topic, especially because the author manages to condense so much history, science, and political context into writing that feels accessible and easy to follow. At the same time, the brevity of the book makes it especially approachable for readers who might otherwise feel intimidated by heavier nonfiction subjects.
It is clear throughout that Levenson writes from a place of extensive research and credible sourcing. This is one of those books I wish could reach the very people most likely to dismiss it outright, because it presents its arguments with clarity, restraint, and an emphasis on historical context rather than sensationalism.
September 30, 2026
This is a very quick read, consisting of several short mini-essays, each discussing one of the major "areas" of anti-vax thought - that is, that they are wrong, unnatural, unnecessary, dangerous, or an attack on liberty. Levenson tackles each of these by tracing the history of that particular argument even as he discusses the history of vaccinations itself, stopping to show whether or not the argument ever had any validity (or if it was reasonable), and -- if so -- whether or not that cause has since been obviated. By tackling each of these, he advances his core thesis across the essays itself: all of the old arguments have been either found false as scientific knowledge increased, or are simply entirely wrong. Levenson is not detached; while he approaches the subject with reasonable objectivity, his contempt for the selfishness or foolishness of his opposition is clear. This may strike some as a bad thing, but I don't think it's especially problematic. On the whole this is a good little summary of the primary currents of anti-vax thought and why they don't hold water.
August 18, 2026
I appreciated all of the time and work that went into the creation of this book, and I found myself seeking out extra information on certain topics that tickled my fancy. I would like to highlight my favorite couple of lines from the whole book.
The following quote can be found on page 139 and goes as follows:
PS; vaccines being linked to autism started off with research done by attorneys to help them sue manufacturers of the MMR vaccine. More on this topic can read on page 88. Go read it for yourself and then fall down an internet rabbit hole of research. It's jaw dropping.
The following quote can be found on page 139 and goes as follows:
"About that assertion that mandates are untenable because the public lacks confidence in the shots: given Kennedy's history of amplifying deceit about vaccine dangers dating back to the false link to autism, his mournful surrender to a doubting public has the same ring to it as the pleading of a killer who murders their parents and then begs for mercy as an orphan."
PS; vaccines being linked to autism started off with research done by attorneys to help them sue manufacturers of the MMR vaccine. More on this topic can read on page 88. Go read it for yourself and then fall down an internet rabbit hole of research. It's jaw dropping.
July 5, 2026
OK, so I'm kind of a history geek. This book contains a nice history of vaccination, and anti-vax activity, so I liked it. If I had to name one single thing I learned that was most interesting, it's that the original study linking measles and autism was paid for by a law firm which used the result to sue vaccine manufacturers.
If you find yourself arguing with anti-vaxers (I live in a pretty red place) it has some good pointers. It could use a few more numbers, e.g. the fraction of people who suffer from bad reactions to vaccines, Things like that, for comparison, given that your typical anti-vaxer thinks more people are injured by vaccines than would have been by the disease. Somehow simply saying "a lot fewer" sound less convincing.
If you find yourself arguing with anti-vaxers (I live in a pretty red place) it has some good pointers. It could use a few more numbers, e.g. the fraction of people who suffer from bad reactions to vaccines, Things like that, for comparison, given that your typical anti-vaxer thinks more people are injured by vaccines than would have been by the disease. Somehow simply saying "a lot fewer" sound less convincing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Pox on Fools is a quick, clear, and incredibly strong read on the interwoven history of the development of vaccine and vaccine denial-ism. It does not break new ground so much as offer a clear and extremely accessible explanation of the history of vaccines in the western world along with the rejection that has shadowed it since the beginning. Levenson uses a strong voice and tone, and some heartrending statics that illustrate just how devastating the disease limited by vaccination once were, and provides strong argumentation as to why preventing even one death is more important than causing a brief discomfort for another.
I would love to rate this a full five stars, but there are two factors. One, Levenson uses a story by Kipling, known for his raging racism and imperialism, to discuss the history of vaccination as an imperial project without properly addressing that legacy in favor of buying into Kipling's narrative of the 'locals' being grateful in the end. This feels like an unnecessary own goal, especially when early portions of the book give credit to African and Middle Eastern knowledge playing important parts of the origins of modern vaccination. It also misses the opportunity to address the fact that concerns that have spawned from that questionable past are best addressed by a more transparent medical system, better education, and community partnerships.
That said, the other essays within the book are strong enough that it definitely earns the four star rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the Arc of this Book.
I would love to rate this a full five stars, but there are two factors. One, Levenson uses a story by Kipling, known for his raging racism and imperialism, to discuss the history of vaccination as an imperial project without properly addressing that legacy in favor of buying into Kipling's narrative of the 'locals' being grateful in the end. This feels like an unnecessary own goal, especially when early portions of the book give credit to African and Middle Eastern knowledge playing important parts of the origins of modern vaccination. It also misses the opportunity to address the fact that concerns that have spawned from that questionable past are best addressed by a more transparent medical system, better education, and community partnerships.
That said, the other essays within the book are strong enough that it definitely earns the four star rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the Arc of this Book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are several reasons why I feel this is a great book. I loved the tone of the writing; conversational but a sense of urgency and anger, an emotion I share with Levenson. The pacing is excellent and all his points are well explained, including past and present objections to vaccines. The writing was so good, I could have easily read a much longer book. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand how we ended up where we are. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance reader copy.
Read
August 29, 2026This book is a counter to the avalanche of disinformation about vaccines. It is written by a professor of science writing at MIT. In his book he goes toe to toe with the anti-vaxxers and reveals where all the disnformation has come from over the years and the falsity or incompleteness of it, as well as what all the scientific data says in favor of vaccines. He is a champion of vaccines and writes with passion about it.
May 30, 2026
This was a well-researched account of vaccine development and hesitancy and how it’s reared its head to the extreme in the 21st century, bolstered by false social media posts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and echoed by Trump and RFK Jr. It’s informative, well paced, and laced with a level of necessary urgency.
June 28, 2026
This was a short but necessary read about the history of vaccines and vaccine deniers. It is exhausting that we ever have to have books and studies on why people decide not to get their children and themselves vaccinated because of the many grifters out there pedeling dangerous alternatives but here we are sadly.
June 26, 2026
This was a really interesting book on the history of vaccines and vaccine skeptics. I don't think it will necessarily change anyone's mind, especially seeing the title is more than a little judgy, but it helped me understand how we got to this particular point in history.
September 14, 2026
I think this book gives a good education on the history of vaccinations. I do wish the title were less spot-on. I only say this because the people who SHOULD read this may be turned off by the phrasing. Still, it's enlightening.
July 2, 2026
Was okay, some of the history was interesting but it was really repetitive and didn't really say anything new
July 13, 2026
Accessible, well written, important yet worrisome in this current sociohistoric moment
July 17, 2026
Minuteman. Background on how got to this moment.
August 13, 2026
RFK is making measles great again
August 20, 2026
very dr dad book
sad but good
sad but good
September 27, 2026
I appreciated the nuance between vaccine hesistacy vs vaccine refusal.
October 3, 2026
"Anti-vaccine evangelism kills those it convinces." [p. 124]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The title is provocative, somewhat like saying “a vaccine against stupidity.” The author is clearly frustrated, and understandably so. More and more people around the world are rejecting the idea of vaccinating children as part of a global oppressive system — a system that imposes rules and expectations, and one that people feel they are not even allowed to question or resist.
But that is not really what the book is about. The author argues that vaccination is the best and most important discovery in human history. In his view, this is not a matter of religion or philosophy, but of science and effectiveness, and he provides plenty of statistics to support his argument. And of course, he is right about many things. It is difficult to deny the enormous number of lives vaccines have saved.
The problem is that everything worked well until it no longer did. Starting with the tragic mistake involving the polio vaccine in the 1950s — which the author himself mentions — public trust was seriously damaged. Later, pharmaceutical companies were involved in further controversies and failures, from thalidomide and Lipobay to the COVID vaccines, Gardasil, and Ozempic. Yet the author does not really address those issues. Instead, he focuses mainly on history and on the number of lives saved. But for many people, that is no longer enough.
After all these scandals, people are simply afraid. How are they supposed to trust pharmaceutical corporations when, for years, doctors claimed that smoking tobacco was healthy? How are people expected to believe in the safety of Gardasil when reports emerged of hundreds of girls in Scandinavia developing severe health problems after receiving it? Why did the European Union ban old mercury thermometers, while still approving vaccines that contain mercury compounds? The same question applies to aluminum. Why is it used in vaccines? Aluminum has been found in the human brain, and nobody really knows how it got there. Why did we move away from vaccines based on inactivated viruses? Many questions about the COVID vaccines also remain unanswered. The book doesn't mention any of this.
So no, parents are not fools. Parents have lost trust in pharmaceutical giants because, over the past decades, there have been too many cases where profit appeared to matter more than human health and life. It is greed that should be blamed, not the supposed stupidity of ordinary people.
But that is not really what the book is about. The author argues that vaccination is the best and most important discovery in human history. In his view, this is not a matter of religion or philosophy, but of science and effectiveness, and he provides plenty of statistics to support his argument. And of course, he is right about many things. It is difficult to deny the enormous number of lives vaccines have saved.
The problem is that everything worked well until it no longer did. Starting with the tragic mistake involving the polio vaccine in the 1950s — which the author himself mentions — public trust was seriously damaged. Later, pharmaceutical companies were involved in further controversies and failures, from thalidomide and Lipobay to the COVID vaccines, Gardasil, and Ozempic. Yet the author does not really address those issues. Instead, he focuses mainly on history and on the number of lives saved. But for many people, that is no longer enough.
After all these scandals, people are simply afraid. How are they supposed to trust pharmaceutical corporations when, for years, doctors claimed that smoking tobacco was healthy? How are people expected to believe in the safety of Gardasil when reports emerged of hundreds of girls in Scandinavia developing severe health problems after receiving it? Why did the European Union ban old mercury thermometers, while still approving vaccines that contain mercury compounds? The same question applies to aluminum. Why is it used in vaccines? Aluminum has been found in the human brain, and nobody really knows how it got there. Why did we move away from vaccines based on inactivated viruses? Many questions about the COVID vaccines also remain unanswered. The book doesn't mention any of this.
So no, parents are not fools. Parents have lost trust in pharmaceutical giants because, over the past decades, there have been too many cases where profit appeared to matter more than human health and life. It is greed that should be blamed, not the supposed stupidity of ordinary people.
August 1, 2026
This is a short read that is informative and comprehensive about the history of vaccine skepticism. There are some anti-vax talking points that I wished Levenson would have pushed back on harder.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews