The Fever
The Fever
Sonia Shah
Bill Gates
If you want to read just one book about malaria, [this book] is probably the best choice. - Bill Gates
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The Fever

The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Humankind for 500,000 Years

Sonia Shah
By
Sonia Shah
3.9
1441
ratings on Goodreads

In "The Fever," acclaimed journalist Sonia Shah embarks on a compelling journey to unravel the persistent enigma of malaria, a disease that, despite being preventable, continues to afflict and claim the lives of millions annually. With a narrative as infectious as her subject, Shah delves into the heart of humanity's centuries-long battle against this elusive foe, exposing the complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors that have thwarted efforts to eradicate the disease. Through her rigorous investigation and vivid storytelling, Shah transports readers from the high-stakes boardrooms of philanthropic powerhouses to the front lines of the fight against malaria in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. "The Fever" is not just a history of a disease but a fascinating exploration of human resilience and folly. Shah skillfully weaves together tales of scientific ambition, political will, and the indomitable spirit of those who live in the shadow of malaria, painting a picture of a battle that is as much about the limitations of modern medicine as it is about the enduring challenge of global inequality. With each page, Shah challenges the reader to reconsider their understanding of progress, philanthropy, and the price of human life in the face of one of the oldest and deadliest enemies of mankind. This is a story that captivates and educates, laying bare the stark realities of a fight far from over but not without hope.

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Released
2010
29 Jun
Length
320
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

If you want to read just one book about malaria, [this book] is probably the best choice. - Bill Gates
One simple reason for malaria’s ferocity is that the protozoan creature that causes the disease is, by definition, a cheater at the game of life. It is a parasite, a creature that can eke out its livelihood only by depleting others of theirs. The rest of us all do our obscure little part in the drama of life, weaving ourselves deeper into local ecology and strengthening its fabric, the bees pollinating the flowers, predators culling the herds of their weakest members. Parasites don’t help anyone. They’re degenerates.
— Sonia Shah, The Fever

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