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Plagues and Peoples
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"Plagues and Peoples" Quotes

The book examines the impact of infectious diseases on human history and society.

Quotes

The power of the written word lies in its capacity to transcend time and space, making it possible for ideas to spread and endure long after their originators have passed away.

William H. McNeill

power of written wordideas spreading

Disease is a social as well as a biological phenomenon. It is defined by human perception and response to it.

William H. McNeill

diseasesocial impact

The conquest of smallpox stands as one of the greatest triumphs of human ingenuity and perseverance over a force of nature.

William H. McNeill

triumphperseverance

Epidemics have reshaped the course of history, often with unexpected and far-reaching consequences.

William H. McNeill

epidemicshistorical impact

The spread of disease has been a powerful driver of human migration and cultural exchange throughout history.

William H. McNeill

disease spreadmigrationcultural exchange

Plagues have the ability to reveal the fault lines and inequalities within societies, highlighting pre-existing tensions and disparities.

William H. McNeill

plaguesinequalitysocietal tensions

The history of humanity is intertwined with the history of infectious diseases, shaping our societies and cultures in profound ways.

William H. McNeill

infectious diseasessocietal impact

Epidemiology provides a lens through which we can understand the complex interactions between human populations and the microbial world.

William H. McNeill

epidemiologyhuman-microbial interactions

The emergence of antibiotic resistance serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing evolutionary struggle between humans and pathogens.

William H. McNeill

antibiotic resistanceevolutionary struggle

The study of pandemics offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of global human societies and the vulnerability of our species to infectious agents.

William H. McNeill

pandemicsglobal interconnectednessvulnerability