Pandemonium: Bird Flu, Mad Cow Disease and Other Biological Plagues of the 21st Century

by Andrew Nikiforuk

Book by Nikiforuk, Andrew

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Andrew Nikiforuk is a leading investigative journalist who has written about education, economics, and the environment for the past two decades. His work has appeared in a variety of Canadian publications including The Walrus, Maclean's, Canadian Business, Report on Business, Chatelaine, Georgia Straight, Equinox and Harrowsmith.

He is the author of the critically acclaimed Empire of the Beetle and the bestseller Tar Sands, which won the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. His book Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War against Oil was the winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction. His other books include Pandemonium and The Fourth Horseman: A Short History of Plagues, Scourges and Emerging Viruses. His journalism has won seven National Magazine Awards and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists.

Nikiforuk lives with his family in Calgary, Alberta. Whether speaking or writing about melting glaciers, peak oil, the destruction of the boreal forest, or bark beetle outbreaks, Nikiforuk has earned a reputation as an honest and provocative voice in Canadian journalism.

Reviews

[Ramil Kazımov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerçi yazarın önceki kitabı kadar iyi olmadıysa da zaman harcamays değdiğini düşünüyorum. Önceki kitabı "Mahşerin Dördüncü Atlısı"nda yazar tarih boyu insanlığa musallat olmuş salgın hastalıklardan yazmış. Bu kitabındaysa insanlığın günümüzde maruz kaldığı salgın hastalık ve İklim değişiminin sonucu olarak gittikçe yayılan hastalıkları ele almış. 2003-te ortaya çıkmış SARS-tan, Kuş gribinden ve diğer bir çok felakete sebep olan 21. yüzyıl hastalıklarından haberdar oldukça küreselleşmenin yalnızca malların kolay yerdeğişmesi değil de aynı zamanda hastalıkların da kolaylaşması anlamına geldiğini anladım. Yazar küreselleşmeni savunanların cevap verməli olduğu ama aslında konu hakkında hiçbir şey bilmediği bir çok soru olduğunu söylüyor

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is clearly well researched and includes a ton of data around pandemics, invasive species and microscopic menaces but it was lacking a human connection. I was really hoping for more personal stories and examples but instead just drowned in stats. To save you some time, here are my two takeaways:
1. Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die.
2. Unless you've detached one of your limbs or have an icepick through your skull, avoid the hospital at all costs.

[Jusun · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating book. it provides a wonderful overview of how human greed and modern agriculture is causing global epidemics at every level, through countless routes, sacrificing all living things involved. a must read.

[Cher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not keep me as interested as the first one but still interesting enough.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope Andrew publishes an updated edition.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overview of global pandemics, zoonotic diseases and modern plagues such as Foot in Mouth and MRSA. Not incredibly detailed, but not bad if you just want a brief look at the issues.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction and an enjoyable read, but it ended up feeling a bit superficial.

[Verna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone concerned about good health. Somewhat depressing information though.

[Mesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. An easy read. Highly recommend.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly my new favorite book, both informative and humorful