Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic

I enjoyed this book immensely, if one can "enjoy" a discourse that warns of all the infectious epidemic hazards we threaten ourselves with by altering our ecosystem. As a physician not intimately familiar with zoonotic disease, I found Quammen's accounts of those disease processes particularly interesting and well-described. No scientific training is required to understand everything he writes.

I have only two quibbles: First, I did have a bit of trouble following some of his timelines, although this didn't materially interfere with my enjoyment of the book; second, and strictly a personal observation, I thought his occasional ventures into hypothetical story lines about prehistoric individuals and how they spread these infectious agents were a bit too lengthy and fantastical.

Nonetheless, it's a very well researched, objective, entertaining, well-written, and intriguing book which I had a hard time putting down. I've recommended it to both of my sons, and would reccomend it to you, the reader, as well.

'Spillover' will absolutely change your perspective on chopping down all those rainforests, and not because of greenhouse gases, but because the survivability of man is at stake. Quammen's writing is, as usual, excellent. The parameters of his pandemic research and study are focused on zoonotic viruses - those viruses spilled from animals into man. With casual simplicity, he explains the science of it, yet his examples are horrifying. We learn exactly how spillover happens in the most obscure ecosystems and in those much closer to home, like your local bat cave or duck pond. Quammen's self-deprecating humor infects his writing throughout, but when he relates actual zoonotic events and their consequences, even he sobers up. This is a fantastic read, and I'll read it again, I'm sure. Of course, since viruses mutate constantly, there has to be a `Spillover II' within a few years. At least, I hope so. I had an uneasy feeling at the end of Quammen's book, there is a great deal more to learn. Can't wait for the sequel!

I have followed and read Quammen since the late 70s. Spillover was informative but not alarming. We are all one short, happenstance instance from being infected with a new virus. I have a real appreciation for the people who put their life on the line to investigate and follow an outbreak of disease. A good read.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Quammen's writing is vivid yet measured, detailed yet gripping, and he possesses true talent as a narrative non-fiction writer. His ability to explain complex scientific ideas and processes in layman's terms is fantastic, and made this book such a joy to read. Though pandemic disease is often written about in ways that are hysterical and melodramatic, SPILLOVER is not a fear-mongering book.

I also deeply appreciated Quammen's awareness of the animals involved, and his respect and empathy for them. It's subtle but ever-present in his choice of language describing them.

I hope this book is assigned in high schools-- it was so inspiring it made me wish I could do my undergraduate schooling over again and become a scientist.

Superb prose, pithy content, I wanted the book to continue. It's the first time I read a book by Quammen and I am intrigued. As scientist and engineer I appreciate the balance of technical concepts used. I am an expert at inanimate matter but not living organisms and I was captivated by the subject matter and the story line. I have since read three other books related to Ebola and Influenza but they are not at the level of this book.

No difficult math or cumbersome formulas, author writes for the interested layman with vivid stories and characters. He surprises and intrigues with lively dialogue. He debunks the hysteria over Ebola convincingly. A good read.

As a veterinarian, I have an interest in diseases,animal and human. For the most part this book was engaging and informative, though a bit slow moving at times. I definitely learned a lot about zoonotic diseases!

David Quammen has written his best book yet, and all of his non-fiction is great. He specializes in facts and details about the natural world combined with his personal take and his quirky humor. This book is fascinating and a great pleasure to read both for the content and for the attitude, which hooks the reader. Who knew that doctors once gave malaria to patients in order to relieve their syphilis symptoms? Visit a wet market in Hong Kong as you learn the facts about SARS. Let David Quammen be your guide to zoonoses.

I read this initially about 3 years ago... before the recent Ebola outbreak. It is informative and cogently written. The science is easy to comprehend --even for the non-scientists amongst us. Read this book if you want to understand the infectious world around you.

Fascinating account of infectious diseases and their place in evolution and environment. Well written text, with intellectual vocabulary, scientific facts, and descriptive, image enhancing language. Though long in page count, never boring and well worth the read.

David Quammen has written his best book yet, and all of his non-fiction is great. He specializes in facts and details about the natural world combined with his personal take and his quirky humor. This book is fascinating and a great pleasure to read both for the content and for the attitude, which hooks the reader. Who knew that doctors once gave malaria to patients in order to relieve their syphilis symptoms? Visit a wet market in Hong Kong as you learn the facts about SARS. Let David Quammen be your guide to zoonoses.

I read this initially about 3 years ago... before the recent Ebola outbreak. It is informative and cogently written. The science is easy to comprehend --even for the non-scientists amongst us. Read this book if you want to understand the infectious world around you.

Fascinating account of infectious diseases and their place in evolution and environment. Well written text, with intellectual vocabulary, scientific facts, and descriptive, image enhancing language. Though long in page count, never boring and well worth the read.

Engaging, interesting, and well written. For someone who is interested in learning about different diseases, the pathogens that cause those diseases, and the processes that underpin epidemiology this book is a fantastic read.

I ordered this book from the store, after reading a review in Smithsonian Magazine. I am so glad I did!!! The author is a writer for National Geographic and his words are never dull and dry. You get a rip roaring tale, but one complete with the real science and facts galore. The story talks about the search for various viruses that have become the scourge of today's world. The stories of when the virus was first known and identified and then the behind the scenes stories and searches read like a top notch thriller. If you like Crichton books or other medical novels about killer germs, read this book. I read it in two sittings which is amazing, if I hadn't had to sleep, eat and get on with life I would have finished it in one!

Takes you to Asia, Africa, Latin America ---exotic, remote locals exploring the how's and whys of diseases that have jumped species. Readable for the most part, for the technical info -- one can skim over to get the gist. A compelling read.

Engrossing. Multiple story lines about known diseases that crossed over from other species to humans as well as suspected crossover diseases. It grabbed my attention and held it. You might never look at a live animal mark (e.g. in China, Morocco, Bolivia) the same way again!

David Quammen brings the history of major (or really scary)diseases acquired by humans from animals into clear relief for the lay person. Just as the movie "Contagion" documented a fictional pandemic based loosely on a worst case SARS incident so this book describes the real facts behind such outbreaks as Ebola, Lyme, and AIDS. His writing is journalistic and effective. His research is excellent. And the subject is both timely and important. "Spoiler Alert", maybe you should not read it just prior to an exotic trip to the hinterlands of Africa, Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Australia, Connecticut...OK, you get the idea. And don't think too much about gypsy moths.

This "science" book does educate the reader very deeply on what viruses (and also bacteria) really are, and why they create illness. Most of us will benefit from a certain caution toward eating animals, especially if they are CAFO -raised or come from at-risk species in the wild. The information about pig-farming was very helpful in understanding why it is almost inevitable that such close confinement of factory-raised animals will give rise to disease, eventually, quite possibly, the Big One. A very informative and not at all abstract explication of why our worst disease threats will transfer from animals.

Absolutely stunning book--and the author isn't even an epidemiologist. He's an incredibly gifted science writer. I couldn't put it down-- and it's very current, given the recent Ebola and flu epidemics. I plan to read anything and everything this author has written. He's that good.

Quammen has written a thorough and lively history of viruses that cross between animal species. There are salacious bits on Ebola and AIDS, but overall the book is a measured, if not alarming, consideration of a biological dark side.

Informative and well-written. Guides the reader through the evolution and impact of animal to human disease transmission. must read for anyone worried or wondering about the how, what, where and why of emerging diseases like Ebola and SARS. Not a light read but a highly interesting one.

Quammen has written a thorough and lively history of viruses that cross between animal species. There are salacious bits on Ebola and AIDS, but overall the book is a measured, if not alarming, consideration of a biological dark side.

Informative and well-written. Guides the reader through the evolution and impact of animal to human disease transmission. must read for anyone worried or wondering about the how, what, where and why of emerging diseases like Ebola and SARS. Not a light read but a highly interesting one.

The author spent at least six years researching the phenomenon of animal diseases (mostly viruses) crossing over into humans (called zoonoses). These include Ebola, influenza, HIV, and many others. He writes informally, making it an easy read and hard to put down. My major complaint about the book is that it could have been a bit shorter; 520 pages (not including a 28 page bibliography and 50 pages of end notes) is a lot for those of us who have not spent 6 years on the subject. But it really is an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, hence 5 stars!

This book was excellent. Not boring or dry as some of these types of books can be, and filled with interesting facts. The author put a lot of time and effort into writing a book that would keep your interest and yet still got his point across: don't blame the animals, it's really us humans and how we treat this world.

I'm not going to get super detailed in my review, I will let the other excellent reviews here do that. But I do highly recommend this book if you are even slightly interested in learning how diseases jump from animals to humans.

Comment on Kindle edition only: As soon as I received this lengthy book I went to the index, searching for specific information. It appears to be a well-constructed index, unlike many to be found, and in a book of this scope it is needed. Unfortunately, the index does not work with the Kindle version. The electronic page numbers don't actually appear, but by scrolling along the bottom one can see what "page" is displayed. Useless, though, because these numbers are not consistent with page numbers of the printed book--and (understandably!) there are hyperlinks only at the table of contents. A huge disappointment. Although I will read and undoubtedly enjoy the book anyway, I wish I had purchased a hard copy for future reference.

Well-researched & fascinating to read. David Quammen spent years gathering information to write this book & presents each "spillover" story intelligently & engagingly. A wonderful book from a wonderful author.

I enjoyed reading this account of investigations of the reservoirs and vectors of various zoonoses. I felt that I was part of the team and on location with the author because of his descriptive writing.

Part Indiana Jones, Andromeda Strain with good humour and well written... Very interesting. Holds the right balance betweengetting too scientific / keeping it simple for lay people. I highly recommend the book.

Quammen manages to cover scientific epidemiology and infectious diseases with a nice balance of "hard" science and entertaining writing. He takes the reader along for a wild ride in exotic parts of the world where he himself has traveled and met face to face with many of the researchers of these diseases.
He describes the importance of total ecology in the transmission of viral diseases with the interface of humans to animals through, in some cases, formerly misunderstood cycles.
Very good read, entertaining while being educational.