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Covid-19: What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus and the Race for the Vaccine
This book charts the trajectory of a novel virus, from its emergence in China at the end of 2019 to its rapid worldwide spread. Based on the latest scientific discoveries, Dr Mosley provides a fascinating and detailed understanding of the secrets of this coronavirus, how it spreads, how it infects your body and how your immune system tries to fight back. With access to leading experts, he reports on the battle to find treatments and a safe and effective vaccine (ultimately, the only way to defeat the virus). Armed with the facts about Covid-19 you'll be in a better position to protect yourself and your family as the world begins to reopen. Eating well, sleeping soundly, exercising and managing stress are all vital for keeping your body and immune system in the best possible shape to fight the virus. These are areas where Dr Mosley, creator of the 5:2 diet, is well known for his science-based and practical approach.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2020
41 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Michael Mosley
260 books312 followersMichael Mosley was a British television journalist, producer, and presenter who worked for the BBC (amongst other broadcasters) from 1985 until his death in 2024. He was probably best known as a presenter of television documentaries on biology and medicine, and his regular appearances on The One Show.
Born in Kolkata, India, the son of a bank director, Mosley studied philosophy, politics and economics at New College, Oxford, before working for two years as a banker in the City of London. He then decided to move into medicine, intending to become a psychiatrist, studying at the Royal Free Hospital Medical School (now part of UCL Medical School).
Becoming disillusioned by psychiatry, upon graduation Mosley joined a trainee assistant producer scheme at the BBC in 1985. Since then he produced and presented many documentaries on science and/or medicine. He was an advocate of intermittent fasting and low-carbohydrate diets who wrote books promoting the ketogenic diet.
Mosley died on the Greek island of Symi on 5 June 2024.
Born in Kolkata, India, the son of a bank director, Mosley studied philosophy, politics and economics at New College, Oxford, before working for two years as a banker in the City of London. He then decided to move into medicine, intending to become a psychiatrist, studying at the Royal Free Hospital Medical School (now part of UCL Medical School).
Becoming disillusioned by psychiatry, upon graduation Mosley joined a trainee assistant producer scheme at the BBC in 1985. Since then he produced and presented many documentaries on science and/or medicine. He was an advocate of intermittent fasting and low-carbohydrate diets who wrote books promoting the ketogenic diet.
Mosley died on the Greek island of Symi on 5 June 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
never-gonna-happen
May 29, 2020It actually bothers me so much that this book already exists.
The fact that this is a situation that is still unravelling; things are changing constantly, the world is re-adjusting, we're still following all kinds of social distancing rules etc... and this guy wants to make money off it?
I just think it's poor taste, and completely premature. How can we possibly already know 'everything'??
Add to that this guy also makes money off diet books, and I'm against his work for life.
People who try to profit off the fears and insecurities of others are a despicable breed to me.
The fact that this is a situation that is still unravelling; things are changing constantly, the world is re-adjusting, we're still following all kinds of social distancing rules etc... and this guy wants to make money off it?
I just think it's poor taste, and completely premature. How can we possibly already know 'everything'??
Add to that this guy also makes money off diet books, and I'm against his work for life.
People who try to profit off the fears and insecurities of others are a despicable breed to me.
October 27, 2020
In diesem 130-seitigen Buch wird kurz und knapp erklärt wie das Sars-Cov-2 Virus funktioniert und warum die Covid-19 Symptome auftreten.
Fand es sehr interessant zu erfahren, dass die Spitzen der Hülle perfekt auf das ACE-2 Enzym andocken, weshalb die RNA unkompliziert replizieren und Viren produzieren kann. Anders als beim SARS Virus, dessen Passform nicht so einfach ist.
Mosley erklärt auch, warum einige Menschen Intensivstationär behandelt werden müssen und andere hingegen gar nicht oder sogar asymptomatisch das Virus verbreiten.
Interessant ist auch der Unterschied zwischen Männern und Frauen, die bedingt sind durch die X-Chromosomen und das Östrogen, dass bei der Immunabwehr besser unterstützt und funktioniert. Und was man machen kann, um die eigene Immunabwehr zu stärken.
Der Autor thematisiert auch weshalb das Virus zu einer Pandemie wurde und geht dabei auf das Missmanagement einzelner Ländern ein, z.B. die USA, die trotz China Einreise-ban 2 Monate lang weitere 40.000 Flugpassagiere ins Land gelassen hat.
Auch die Entwicklung von Impfstoffen wird thematisiert.
Ist definitiv ein lesenswertes Buch, um sich nochmal ins Bewusstsein zu rufen, womit und warum die Welt gerade mit dieser Pandemie Schwierigkeiten hat und warum es unsere Pflicht als einzelner ist, möglichst weitere Ansteckungen einzudämmen!
Fand es sehr interessant zu erfahren, dass die Spitzen der Hülle perfekt auf das ACE-2 Enzym andocken, weshalb die RNA unkompliziert replizieren und Viren produzieren kann. Anders als beim SARS Virus, dessen Passform nicht so einfach ist.
Mosley erklärt auch, warum einige Menschen Intensivstationär behandelt werden müssen und andere hingegen gar nicht oder sogar asymptomatisch das Virus verbreiten.
Interessant ist auch der Unterschied zwischen Männern und Frauen, die bedingt sind durch die X-Chromosomen und das Östrogen, dass bei der Immunabwehr besser unterstützt und funktioniert. Und was man machen kann, um die eigene Immunabwehr zu stärken.
Der Autor thematisiert auch weshalb das Virus zu einer Pandemie wurde und geht dabei auf das Missmanagement einzelner Ländern ein, z.B. die USA, die trotz China Einreise-ban 2 Monate lang weitere 40.000 Flugpassagiere ins Land gelassen hat.
Auch die Entwicklung von Impfstoffen wird thematisiert.
Ist definitiv ein lesenswertes Buch, um sich nochmal ins Bewusstsein zu rufen, womit und warum die Welt gerade mit dieser Pandemie Schwierigkeiten hat und warum es unsere Pflicht als einzelner ist, möglichst weitere Ansteckungen einzudämmen!
July 15, 2020
I’m not sure how I feel about this book. On one hand I found it interesting but on the other I found it to be ...odd. It’s a slim volume and given that this is a developing situation, some of this information could very well be outdated and inaccurate by the time it reaches readers’ hands.
This really could have just been a series of blog posts, online journal articles, etc. Physical book form feels redundant in this case.
This really could have just been a series of blog posts, online journal articles, etc. Physical book form feels redundant in this case.
October 14, 2020
Few of us have lived through any this like this or had to face such a uncertain future.I had read about the dangers of microbes jumping from animals to humans and creating a devastating pandemic.But in my heart of herats I never thought it would be bad as this.It is like a terrifying science fiction story which has suddenly become real.
This book is about the race to create a vaccine.It is also a distillation of what we currently know about SARS_COV_2 ....its genetic structure how it spreads and how your immune system fights back . Case study of small pox which killed rich and poor ,emperors and kings,pheraohs and prophets ..provided in this book is really informative and worth reading .
https://twitter.com/drmichaelmosley?l...
Must read if u are intrested in what 2020 is about --
This book is about the race to create a vaccine.It is also a distillation of what we currently know about SARS_COV_2 ....its genetic structure how it spreads and how your immune system fights back . Case study of small pox which killed rich and poor ,emperors and kings,pheraohs and prophets ..provided in this book is really informative and worth reading .
https://twitter.com/drmichaelmosley?l...
Must read if u are intrested in what 2020 is about --
August 9, 2020
A very interesting read about the virus including a timeline of its early days. Michael Mosley’s writing is easy to understand with explanations of how viruses grow and spread. He offers suggestions about how to keep healthy and explains various potential vaccines and their development.
July 21, 2020
A quick read, very clear popular science which clarified a lot of my knowledge of C19. I found the best part to be the chapter on vaccines and the new approaches that at being tried. This book gave me hope that we will get back to normal in the end but that first there is the scary prospect of a new wave of infection towards the end of 2020.
April 20, 2025
It was an amazing technical guide when I read this early on, in 2020. I will write a real review as soon as I have some time this week - I do not want to write a superficial one without quoting vital stuff from the book's pages.
==== ONE MONTH LATER, . . . I found time to review it =============
Covid-19, by Dr. Michael Mosley:
I was one of the first to buy this book way back in 2020, and I enjoyed it for its brevity, all written in plain English.
It is well-written, accessible to non-scientists, and written by a scientist. He defines SARS-CoV-2 by expanding the acronym, and then subsequently uses its short name, COVID-19. I enjoyed the way he briefly first looks at pandemics in general, such as smallpox, telling their brief stories. The simplicity of the book and the clarity in the associated diagrams help everyone understand the technical details of how this nano-scale virus attacks your cells. The nice but simple diagram shows how the virus binds with the enzyme ACE-2, which it finds on your cell membranes and in your nasal lining. Mind you, ACE-2 is useful for regulating your blood pressure. How opportunistic the COVID-19 virus is, using ACE-2!
The book also mentions that Mosley’s son beat the virus, so he wrote not only from expertise as a scientist but from experience.
Everyone should read this book of less than 150 pages, even when the virus has lost its sting. It is fun and informative to read.
==== ONE MONTH LATER, . . . I found time to review it =============
Covid-19, by Dr. Michael Mosley:
I was one of the first to buy this book way back in 2020, and I enjoyed it for its brevity, all written in plain English.
It is well-written, accessible to non-scientists, and written by a scientist. He defines SARS-CoV-2 by expanding the acronym, and then subsequently uses its short name, COVID-19. I enjoyed the way he briefly first looks at pandemics in general, such as smallpox, telling their brief stories. The simplicity of the book and the clarity in the associated diagrams help everyone understand the technical details of how this nano-scale virus attacks your cells. The nice but simple diagram shows how the virus binds with the enzyme ACE-2, which it finds on your cell membranes and in your nasal lining. Mind you, ACE-2 is useful for regulating your blood pressure. How opportunistic the COVID-19 virus is, using ACE-2!
The book also mentions that Mosley’s son beat the virus, so he wrote not only from expertise as a scientist but from experience.
Everyone should read this book of less than 150 pages, even when the virus has lost its sting. It is fun and informative to read.
January 21, 2021
It starts of well by teaching you what viruses are and how they work within our bodies. This is important and interesting. But then he dedicates a lot of pages to self advertising his diet regime, so I felt the book lost its point.
April 14, 2022
Propaganda
Read
February 1, 2021A little disappointed with this, as it gave little technical explanation. For instance I was keen to read what the author said about the assumption the virus escaped from a Chinese lab, but it was glossed over in a couple of sentences. Also way too much about weight loss. While losing weight is important, 22 pages dedicated to weight loss was excessive.
February 1, 2021
This is a very good little book that explains what COVID-19 is, and compares it to other pandemics in history. Michael Mosley avoided the temptation for hyperbole, and included a few simple drawings which help to define how the virus spreads, and what it does once it has a host. I recommend it to readers who want the facts.
July 23, 2022
I am currently reading this while I have Covid and a lot of it is obviously out of date now. Good that is is a short read and not used like a health bible. It does feel like a sale pitch for his 5/2 800 calories book as it takes up a lot of pages.
July 17, 2020
informative
July 26, 2020
A good snapshot but by now it's information already known, and kinda repetitive with little new information. But impressed at how fast book was published!
August 8, 2020
This was such an interesting and informative book, l always enjoy reading anything written by Michael Mosley. His research and factual information so important to learn.
August 14, 2020
A good accessible summary of the COVID-19 pandemic from a popular science slant. Good section on the history of developing vaccines and strong on lifestyle risk factors. A quick read.
August 24, 2020
This book makes Covid sound like a lil’ cutie. Author could give a free, adorable Covid plushie away with every “starve yourself to non-fatness” book of his.
August 28, 2020
Straightforward read, well explained. Written to also promote other health and lifestyle books by the same author.
February 13, 2021
This book is worth the read. It is simple to understand.
May 14, 2021
An essential primer for the layperson. A lot of context and background knowledge useful for the current climate
June 2, 2021
Very instructive especially for who are searching for knowing about the COVID-19 pandemics.
May 17, 2023
It's amazing how a book written for the moment becomes outdated after only a few years
June 27, 2022
(The English review is placed beneath the Russian one)
Скоро все люди в мире смогу чуть ли не наизусть пересказывать то, что написано в этой книге. А написано в ней, по сути, всё то, что чуть ли не каждый день появляется в новостных информационных выпусках практически всех СМИ.
Автор начинает с короткого объяснения сути вирусов, как они действуют внутри организма и пр. Далее идёт хронология событий связанная с COVID-19, о которой знают уже буквально все, т.е. рынок, Китай, туристы, которые привезли в свои страны этот самый вирус и так далее. Так как весь 2020 год мы только и делали, что смотрели новости о появлении и распространении COVID-19, то ничего нового из книги большинство читателей не узнает. Я не думаю, что кто-то в 2020 году хотя бы раз не слышал эту историю о том, как появился и распространился этот вирус.
Далее автор упомянет несколько историй различных людей, которые первыми заразились; как на вирус реагировали политики во всём мире; что происходило в 2020 года в США, Европе и других странах и пр. Всё это описывается очень поверхностно. Учитывая, что уже в конце 2020 года было выпущено множество документальных фильмов на эту тему (например, «Coronavirus, Explained», TV Mini Series (2020)), лучше потратить время на их просмотр, а не на эту книгу.
Далее, автор начинает отвечать на вопросы по поводу COVID-19, что напомнило мне ролики с YouTube канала DW, когда темой была ситуация в мире связанная с COVID-19. В этих роликах, в самом конце 10-15 минутного новостного выпуска, давались ответы на вопросы зрителей по теме COVID-19.
В общем, смысла читать эту книгу нет главным образом потому, что ситуация с вирусом COVID-19 на 19.06.2021 всё ещё до конца не ясна. Мир всё ещё не знает ответов на множество вопросов на тему этого вируса (как он появился), а значит, писать такие книги, т.е. на тему вируса COVID-19, ещё очень рано.
Я перестал читать книгу где-то на середине, так как ничего нового для себя не узнал. Плюс, автор отвергает версию, что вирус имеет искусственное происхождение, т.е. что он из китайской лаборатории, а на сегодняшний день появляется всё больше и больше информации указывающей, что эта версия отнюдь не абсурдна.
Итого: ещё рано писать на эту тему и плюс, всё слишком поверхностно описано.
Soon everyone in the world will be able to recite by heart what is written in this book. In fact, it contains everything that appears almost every day in the news bulletins of almost every media outlet.
The author begins with a short explanation of the essence of viruses, how they work inside the body, etc. Then there is a chronology of events related to COVID-19, which everyone knows about, i.e., the market, China, the tourists who brought this very virus to their countries, and so on. Since all we've done all year 2020 is watching the news about the emergence and spread of COVID-19, most readers won't learn anything new from the book. I don't think anyone in 2020 hasn't heard this story at least once about how this virus came about and spread.
The author goes on to mention several stories of different people who were infected first, how politicians around the world reacted to the virus, what was happening in 2020 in the United States, Europe, and other countries, etc. All this is described very superficially. Given that there are many documentaries on this topic (e.g., "Coronavirus, Explained," TV Mini-Series (2020)) already released in late 2020, it is better to spend time watching them rather than reading this book.
Next, the author begins to answer questions about COVID-19, which reminded me of clips from the YouTube channel DW, when the topic was the situation in the world related to COVID-19. In these clips, at the very end of the 10-15 minute newscast, there were answers to viewers' questions about COVID-19.
In general, there is no point in reading this book mainly because the situation with the COVID-19 virus as of 19.06.2021 is still not completely clear. The world still does not know the answers to many questions about this virus (how it appeared), which means that it is very early to write such books, i.e., about the COVID-19 virus.
I stopped reading the book about halfway through because I did not learn anything new. Plus, the author rejects the version that the virus is of artificial origin, i.e., that it comes from a Chinese laboratory, whereas today, there is more and more information indicating that this version is not absurd at all.
Bottom line: it's too early to write on this topic and, plus, everything is too superficially described.
Скоро все люди в мире смогу чуть ли не наизусть пересказывать то, что написано в этой книге. А написано в ней, по сути, всё то, что чуть ли не каждый день появляется в новостных информационных выпусках практически всех СМИ.
Автор начинает с короткого объяснения сути вирусов, как они действуют внутри организма и пр. Далее идёт хронология событий связанная с COVID-19, о которой знают уже буквально все, т.е. рынок, Китай, туристы, которые привезли в свои страны этот самый вирус и так далее. Так как весь 2020 год мы только и делали, что смотрели новости о появлении и распространении COVID-19, то ничего нового из книги большинство читателей не узнает. Я не думаю, что кто-то в 2020 году хотя бы раз не слышал эту историю о том, как появился и распространился этот вирус.
Далее автор упомянет несколько историй различных людей, которые первыми заразились; как на вирус реагировали политики во всём мире; что происходило в 2020 года в США, Европе и других странах и пр. Всё это описывается очень поверхностно. Учитывая, что уже в конце 2020 года было выпущено множество документальных фильмов на эту тему (например, «Coronavirus, Explained», TV Mini Series (2020)), лучше потратить время на их просмотр, а не на эту книгу.
Далее, автор начинает отвечать на вопросы по поводу COVID-19, что напомнило мне ролики с YouTube канала DW, когда темой была ситуация в мире связанная с COVID-19. В этих роликах, в самом конце 10-15 минутного новостного выпуска, давались ответы на вопросы зрителей по теме COVID-19.
В общем, смысла читать эту книгу нет главным образом потому, что ситуация с вирусом COVID-19 на 19.06.2021 всё ещё до конца не ясна. Мир всё ещё не знает ответов на множество вопросов на тему этого вируса (как он появился), а значит, писать такие книги, т.е. на тему вируса COVID-19, ещё очень рано.
Я перестал читать книгу где-то на середине, так как ничего нового для себя не узнал. Плюс, автор отвергает версию, что вирус имеет искусственное происхождение, т.е. что он из китайской лаборатории, а на сегодняшний день появляется всё больше и больше информации указывающей, что эта версия отнюдь не абсурдна.
Итого: ещё рано писать на эту тему и плюс, всё слишком поверхностно описано.
Soon everyone in the world will be able to recite by heart what is written in this book. In fact, it contains everything that appears almost every day in the news bulletins of almost every media outlet.
The author begins with a short explanation of the essence of viruses, how they work inside the body, etc. Then there is a chronology of events related to COVID-19, which everyone knows about, i.e., the market, China, the tourists who brought this very virus to their countries, and so on. Since all we've done all year 2020 is watching the news about the emergence and spread of COVID-19, most readers won't learn anything new from the book. I don't think anyone in 2020 hasn't heard this story at least once about how this virus came about and spread.
The author goes on to mention several stories of different people who were infected first, how politicians around the world reacted to the virus, what was happening in 2020 in the United States, Europe, and other countries, etc. All this is described very superficially. Given that there are many documentaries on this topic (e.g., "Coronavirus, Explained," TV Mini-Series (2020)) already released in late 2020, it is better to spend time watching them rather than reading this book.
Next, the author begins to answer questions about COVID-19, which reminded me of clips from the YouTube channel DW, when the topic was the situation in the world related to COVID-19. In these clips, at the very end of the 10-15 minute newscast, there were answers to viewers' questions about COVID-19.
In general, there is no point in reading this book mainly because the situation with the COVID-19 virus as of 19.06.2021 is still not completely clear. The world still does not know the answers to many questions about this virus (how it appeared), which means that it is very early to write such books, i.e., about the COVID-19 virus.
I stopped reading the book about halfway through because I did not learn anything new. Plus, the author rejects the version that the virus is of artificial origin, i.e., that it comes from a Chinese laboratory, whereas today, there is more and more information indicating that this version is not absurd at all.
Bottom line: it's too early to write on this topic and, plus, everything is too superficially described.
March 4, 2021
‘This book charts the trajectory of a novel virus, from its emergence in China at the end of 2019 to its rapid worldwide spread.
Based on the latest scientific discoveries, Dr Mosley provides a fascinating and detailed understanding of the secrets of this coronavirus, how it spreads, how it infects your body and how your immune system tries to fight back. With access to leading experts, he reports on the battle to find treatments and a safe and effective vaccine (ultimately, the only way to defeat the virus).
Armed with the facts about COVID-19 you’ll be in a better position to protect yourself and your family as the world begins to reopen.
Eating well, sleeping soundly, exercising and managing stress are all vital for keeping your body and immune system in the best possible shape to fight the virus. These are areas where Dr Mosley, creator of the 5:2 diet, is well known for his science-based and practical approach.’
This book was great.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book. I have read a few books about COVID-19 and pandemics in general over the last year and I have had a different reading experience with each of them.
One of the things I liked most about the book was that it was a quick read and easy to understand. It wasn’t weighed down with too much science for a lay-person to understand and when it did need to include difficult science it was broken down, well explained and accompanied with illustrations to help the reader visualize the information.
I also really enjoyed that this book provided simple things that people can do to help protect them from contracting COVID-19. As well as providing links to various websites that contain further information that a reader can seek out if they would like to learn more about COVID-19 or find out how to live a more healthy lifestyle in general.
Dr Michael Mosley has done a wonderful job with this book and I am so glad that I picked it up.
COVID-19 by Dr Michael Mosley is a must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Based on the latest scientific discoveries, Dr Mosley provides a fascinating and detailed understanding of the secrets of this coronavirus, how it spreads, how it infects your body and how your immune system tries to fight back. With access to leading experts, he reports on the battle to find treatments and a safe and effective vaccine (ultimately, the only way to defeat the virus).
Armed with the facts about COVID-19 you’ll be in a better position to protect yourself and your family as the world begins to reopen.
Eating well, sleeping soundly, exercising and managing stress are all vital for keeping your body and immune system in the best possible shape to fight the virus. These are areas where Dr Mosley, creator of the 5:2 diet, is well known for his science-based and practical approach.’
This book was great.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book. I have read a few books about COVID-19 and pandemics in general over the last year and I have had a different reading experience with each of them.
One of the things I liked most about the book was that it was a quick read and easy to understand. It wasn’t weighed down with too much science for a lay-person to understand and when it did need to include difficult science it was broken down, well explained and accompanied with illustrations to help the reader visualize the information.
I also really enjoyed that this book provided simple things that people can do to help protect them from contracting COVID-19. As well as providing links to various websites that contain further information that a reader can seek out if they would like to learn more about COVID-19 or find out how to live a more healthy lifestyle in general.
Dr Michael Mosley has done a wonderful job with this book and I am so glad that I picked it up.
COVID-19 by Dr Michael Mosley is a must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews