With the rise of new viruses like Ebola, HIV, Mad Cow Disease and bird flu, this well-known historian offers an unusual - although here and there very personal - theory of how epidemics work to undermine a region's population, so that its weakness favours invading armies and other factors which he calls 'macroparasites and microparasites'. The first half is a bit speculative but the second is spot on . . . an interesting and instructive read.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 56 Spring 2010 ) |
