A virologist’s insight into how viruses evolve and why global epidemics are inevitable in 1993 a previously healthy young man was drowning in the middle of a desert, in fluids produced by his own lungs. This was the beginning of the terrifying sin nombre hantavirus epidemic and the start of a scientific journey that would forever change our understanding of what it means to be human. After witnessing the sin nombre outbreak, Dr Frank Ryan began researching viral evolution and was astonished to discover that it’s inextricable from the evolution of all life on Earth. From aids and Ebola to the common cold, Ryan explores the role of the virus within every ecosystem on the planet. His gripping conclusions shed new light on the natural world, proving that what doesn't kill you really does make you (and your species) stronger.
Product Details
Title:
Virusphere: Ebola, Aids, Influenza
Author:
Frank Ryan
Publisher:
William Collins
SKU:
BK0490886
EAN:
9780008296704
Number Of Pages:
288
Language:
English
Binding:
Paperback
Country Of Origin:
English
Release date:
15 June 2020
About Author
Dr Frank Ryan is a consultant physician based in Sheffield, and an honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield. He is also an international best-selling writer. His book, Tuberculosis: The Greatest Story Never Told, was a New York Times Book of the Year while Darwin's Blind Spot was the 'Amazon Featured Book' recommended by Charlie Munger at the 2003 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. He pioneered the evolutionary concepts of 'viral symbiosis' and 'genomic creativity' and has contributed to the modern understanding of the evolution of the human genome. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Linnean Society of London.
His other fiction includes the thrillers Goodbye Baby Blue and Tiger Tiger, which gathered fine reviews, including The Sunday Times, and his contemporary novel, Taking Care of Harry, explored the themes of mental illness and love in old age. His books have been translated into many languages and have been the subject of more than a dozen television features and documentaries. His science fiction novel, The Doomsday Genie, asks if the Genetic Age, with all of its potential for human good, might also bring with it a threat every bit as dangerous as the atomic bomb.
In addition to writing, Frank has directed his own commercial art gallery and has retained strong links with the artistic community. His philosophy is based on the importance of fun in everybody's daily life. He is married with two children.
