Angel of Death
Description
This revised edition of Angel of Death provides a compelling and timely account of humanity's battle against one of its greatest killers. It traces the dramatic rise and fall of smallpox, including the creation of the world's first vaccine by Edward Jenner, which ultimately led to the disease's eradication in 1980-a turning point in the history of smallpox, and arguably the greatest achievement of preventative medicine. The saga of smallpox still resonates today, with its legacies including the anti-vaccination movement, and more recently, the nightmarish possibility that a virus resembling smallpox could return, either through natural evolution-as in the case of monkey-pox-or built from scratch in a bioterrorist's laboratory. Given its greater infectivity and mortality, such a virus could lead to a much more devastating pandemic than COVID-19. Engagingly written with colourful characters and a riveting storyline, this rigorously researched second edition should appeal to anyone fascinated by the history of medicine, science or global health.
The first edition (2010) of Angel of Death: The Story of Smallpox was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize 2010 and the Medical Journalists' Association Award 2011.
Reviews / Votes
"Wonderfully researched, vividly written ... an example of medical history at its absolute best." (Michael Neve, Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, London)
"Williams recounts the history of smallpox in a breezy, accessible style. And what a history it is." (Clive Anderson, journalist and broadcaster, Big Read 2010, New Scientist)
"Williams's account of our battle with the disease revisits historical accounts of its horrendous impact and the fascinating story of medical progress - including the pioneering use of vaccination by a country doctor in 1796 - and its relevance in the fight against modern epidemics." (The Times)
"Williams writes with a great command of the English language ... an excellent holiday read." (Royal College of Physicians, 2010)
"A meticulously researched story with pace and flair . Both the history and the science are terrific." (Medical Journalists Association Open Book Award, 2011)
"In lively prose with unpatronising insight into past medical dilemmas, he dramatises the scourge and its treatment first by variolation (immunisation with live smallpox virus) then vaccination, but also shows how controversial smallpox vaccination was during the 19th century." (The Lancet)
"An engaging narrative, in which medical history is interweaved with social history and reflections on contemporary issues." (BBC History Magazine)
"The author explores one of the most exciting success stories in the history of medicine. His book also gives original and engaging insights into the anti-vaccination campaigns which remain active today." (The Guild of Health Writers)
"Williams has managed to bring to life one of the most enthralling, life changing success stories in the history of medicine." (Laboratory News)
More details
Other editions
Previous edition
Person
Gareth Williams is Emeritus Professor and former Dean of Medicine at the University of Bristol, in the UK. Internationally renowned for his research into diabetes and obesity, he has published over 200 scientific papers, co-edited the prizewinning Handbook of Diabetes (1992, 1999) and contributed to the Oxford Textbook of Medicine . His other books for general readers are Paralysed with Fear: The Story of Polio (2013); A Monstrous Commotion: The Mysteries of Loch Ness (2016); Unravelling the Double Helix: The Lost Heroes of DNA (2019); and The Impossible Bomb: The Hidden History of British Scientists and the Race to Create an Atomic Weapon (2025).
Content
Preface: Setting the Scene.- 1. Know the Enemy.- 2. Of Man and Angel.- 3. First Steps in the Right Direction.- 4. The Ambassador's Ingenious Lady.- 5. Curiosa Americana.- 6. From Passion to Fashion.- 7. The Greatest Improvement?.- 8. Everyday Tales of Country Folk.- 9. The Disinterested Divulger of a Salutary Blessing.- 10. Crusaders and Infidels.- 11. An Affront to the Rights of Man.- 12. More Fatal than Smallpox.- 13. The Most Beautiful Discovery or a Disastrous Illusion?.- 14. Lest we Forget.- 15. Death Throes of a Clinical Curiosity.- 16. Legacy of an Angel.- 17. 'Return of the Angel?.- 18. Postscript: A Place in World History.