Pathogenesis
How Germs Made History
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Pathogenesis
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Kennedy
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By:
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Jonathan Kennedy
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
Humans did not make history—we played host.
This humbling and revelatory book shows how infectious disease has shaped humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. How did an Indonesian volcano help cause the Black Death, setting Europe on the road to capitalism? How could 168 men extract the largest ransom in history from an opposing army of eighty thousand? And why did the Industrial Revolution lead to the birth of the modern welfare state?
The latest science reveals that infectious diseases are not just something that happens to us, but a fundamental part of who we are. Indeed, the only reason humans don't lay eggs is that a virus long ago inserted itself into our DNA, and there are as many bacteria in your body as there are human cells. We have been thinking about the survival of the fittest all wrong: evolution is not simply about human strength and intelligence, but about how we live and thrive in a world dominated by germs.
By exploring the startling intimacy of our relationship with infectious diseases, Dr Jonathan Kennedy shows how they have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions of the past 50,000 years. A major reassessment of world history, Pathogenesis also reveals how the crisis of a pandemic can offer vital opportunities for change.
©2023 Jonathan Kennedy (P)2023 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"This book challenges some of the greatest cliches about colonialism and leaves you wondering why you ever gave them the time of day. A revelation, and also that rarest thing, a science title that is entirely comprehensible and often a pleasure to read." (Sathnam Sanghera, bestselling author of Empireland)
"Thrilling and eye-opening. From neolithic diseases to Covid-19, Jonathan Kennedy explores the enormous role played by some of the tiniest life on Earth: the power of plagues in shaping world history." (Professor Lewis Dartnell, bestselling author of Origins and Being Human)
"From the fall of Rome to the Spanish conquest of the Americas to the industrial revolution, germs have played as much a role in history as guns, generals and 'great men'... Jonathan Kennedy restores the microbes of infectious disease to their rightful place in the story of human evolution and the rise and fall of civilisations. Science and history at its best." (Dr Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century)
What listeners say about Pathogenesis
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- veyza
- 12-07-23
A different perspective on history
An interesting overview on how pathogens have profoundly influenced human history and the world we live in.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 05-01-24
Great Insight
Detailed so many instances where pathogens affected the path of history. Damaged the legacy of many of the ‘greats’ I learned about in my history lessons.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-04-24
A fascinating
Enjoyed this. Its sub-title pretty much tells you what you need to know. Really informative and easy to follow.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Hudson
- 20-05-23
Interesting take on history
Interesting story of how disease has impacted history and the modern world. Ignore the detractors around political points of view; yes there is a political narrative but just because it isn’t yours shouldn’t affect the listen. Enjoy some critical thinking.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-12-23
A very informative listen
Overall I enjoyed this and would encourage others to read it / listen to it. However what starts as a very interesting scientific study morphs into a political treatise. albeit on a public health theme. China's statistics for COVID19 are accepted without question and used as an argument against the Western societal / political order; independent analysis suggests they were a massive underestimate of the true death toll. Resistance, or lack of it, to disease is cited as a key explanation as to why much smaller forces were able to prevail over much larger ones and evidenced from particularly the Americas. There is no mention of for instance the Brtitish in India where many of the same arguments pertain. Science has been described as beautiful hypotheses spoilt by nasty little things called facts. In the absence of any discussion one is left feeling that it may have been left out as it did not fit with the narrative. Despite this it was a stimulating and informative listen and I agree with much of what the author said.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- David H. Furnival
- 13-05-23
Great till it descended into identity politics
I stopped listening once I could see that the story had drifted of a fascinating story and descended into a monologue of identity politics, shame as I was so enjoying it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 31-07-23
Riveting Read
Very informative, very interesting and full of " well, I never knew that. Great!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 31-07-23
Good historical summary a bit suspect on the current world
A thoroughly enjoyable if toe curling review of the history of diseases. The treatment of the covid pandemic seems too current for proper perspective and the use of official Chinese statistics for comparison was patently ridiculous. The narration was a bit dry but doesn’t detract from the work. Four to five stars for the first ninety percent two stars for the last ten.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- J
- 15-05-23
Interesting history ruined by partisan politics
Enjoyed the history elements, but views and accounts of recent politics and covid are fairly biased and lack critical thinking and balance, e.g. accepting as fact China's covid stats and no mention of Sweden's.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dr RE Hodgson
- 15-05-24
Truly Outstanding
I am a Critical Care physician who thought I had fairly comprehensive knowledge of infectious diseases. This audio book had me fascinated with new knowledge, in each succeeding chapter. Brilliant
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