{"product_id":"germs-genes-civilization-how-epidemics-shaped-who-we-are-today-ft-press-science-series-9780137019960","title":"Germs  Genes  \u0026 Civilization: How Epidemics Shaped Who We Are Today (Ft Press Science Series)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Clear  thoughtful  and thought-provoking  Germs  Genes \u0026amp; Civilization makes the case that infectious diseases have played a major role in shaping society. Clark argues that religion  morals  and even democracy have all been influenced by the smallest and most dangerous organisms on our planet. While you may not accept every argument  you will be stimulated  entertained  and enlightened.\"---Samuel L. Stanley  Jr.  M.D.  President  Stony Brook University  and former Director of the Midwest Regional Center for Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research  \"Clark presents an insightful explanation of the invisible history all around us. He conveys the essential facts in a riveting and engaging manner that everyone  including the nonscientist  will find exceptionally interesting and revealing.\"---Michael C. Thomsett  author of The Inquisition  \"Germs  Genes \u0026amp; Civilization is a fascinating and well-balanced account of how a wide variety of different kinds of microbes have influenced human evolution  culture  society  and even religious thought. Written for a lay audience  the relationships between genes and disease resistance and susceptibility are clearly discussed  and the book concludes with a sober assessment of what may be in store for us in the future.\"---Irwin W. Sherman  Professor Emeritus  University of California  Riverside  and author of Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World and The Power of Plagues  hos in charge here? Humans? No way. Microbes dont just outnumber us by nearly 1021 to 1: They run the Earth. In Germs  Genes \u0026amp; Civilization  Dr. David Clark reveals the hidden web of microbial activity that shapes our planet and molds our human destinies.  Youll discover how your genes have been shaped by battling against infectious diseases through the millennia. Youll learn how epidemics have transformed human history  over and over again---from ancient Egypt to Mexico  the Romans to Attila the Hun. Youll learn how the Black Death epidemic ended the Middle Ages  making possible the Renaissance  Western democracy  and the scientific revolution.  Perhaps most fascinating of all  Clark reveals the latest scientific and philosophical insights into the interplay between microbes  humans  and society---and previews what just might come next.  AD 452: Attila the Hun stands ready to sack Rome. No one can stop him---but he walks awaj A miracle? No...dysentery. Microbes saved the Roman Empire. Nearly a millennium later  the microbes of the Black Death ended the Middle Ages  making possible the Renaissance  western democracy  and the scientific revolution. Soon after  microbes ravaged the Americas  paving the way for their European conquest.  Again and again  microbes have shaped our health  our genetics  our history  our culture  our politics  even our religion and ethics. This book reveals much that scientists and cultural historian; have learned about the pervasive interconnections between infectious microbes and humans. It also considers what our ongoing fundamental relationship with infectious microbes might mean for the future of the human species.  The \"good side\" of historys worst epidemics the surprising debt we owe to killer diseases  Where diseases came from...and where diseases came from...and where they may be going  Children of pestilence: disease and civilization From Egypt to Mexico  from Rome to China  STDs  sexual behavior  and culture How microbes can shape cultural cycles of puritanism and promiscuity\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67896603017269,"sku":"ByrdShop_0137019963","price":28.06,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780137019960.jpg?v=1793777866","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/germs-genes-civilization-how-epidemics-shaped-who-we-are-today-ft-press-science-series-9780137019960","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}