The Health of Nations: The Campaign to End Polio and Eradicate Epidemic Diseases - Hardcover

‘A fantastic story about the oddballs and outcasts, hippies and billionaires who have saved millions and millions of lives. As exciting as a thriller and with a happy ending that gives us hope for humankind.’

‘Well-researched and accessible... Her writing is clear yet nuanced, and offers compassion, a broad respect for history, and the skills of a strong storyteller.’

‘Bartlett makes it abundantly clear that research to reduce the impact of infectious disease is progressing but that politics, budgetary constraints, competing priorities, and ego clashes are serious impediments.’

‘Anyone interested in public health and its interface with politics will find both hope and frustration here...a fascinating look at epidemiology and the challenges that public health workers face.’

‘This book is so engaging that I read it in one sitting...I recommend it in the highest possible terms.’

‘...describes the heroic efforts, the thrill of success, the challenges and the tragedy of failure...[it] kept me turning the pages until late in the night.’

‘Timely.’

‘A deft combination of history and palatable scientific reportage.’

Karen Bartlett is a journalist, film-maker and Sunday Times bestselling author whose writing has appeared in the Sunday Times, The Times, Guardian, Newsweek, New Statesman and Wired. Previously she worked with Nelson Mandela and United World Colleges, the Fabian Society, and as director of the human rights campaign group Charter88. She lives in Barnet, London.