"A sweeping look at how the major transformations in history--from the rise of Homo sapiens to the birth of capitalism--have been shaped not by humans but by germs. According to the accepted narrative of progress, humans have thrived thanks to their brains and brawn, collectively bending the arc of history. But in this revelatory book, professor Jonathan Kennedy argues that the myth of human exceptionalism overstates the role that we play in social...

"This title uses a then-and-now approach to explore the impact of media both during the 1918 influenza pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. . . Photographs and content-packed sidebars will help readers explore how these two crises have impacted the world"--Provided by publisher.

"With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, this book uncovers the hidden truths about history's pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19"-- Provided by publisher.