An informative, readable text that will appeal to those interested in the subject as well as students seeking material for...
Experts predict the next pandemic will hit humanity in the coming two to three decades, possibly sooner: What will it be?
Science writer and nurse Goldsmith (Addiction and Overdose, 2017, etc.) tackles the world of deadly viruses in her latest volume, outlining many of the exacerbating factors. These include increased travel, climate change, destruction of animal habitats, human conflict and overcrowding, and the overuse of antibiotics. The author is frank in explaining that these human activities that contribute to the risk of another pandemic—quite possibly influenza—are unlikely to change in the near future. She dedicates the final section of the book to covering the plans international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, are setting in place. These strategies vary from the expected (developing new vaccines) to the eye-opening (creating genetically modified mosquitos to combat dengue fever). Ending on a hopeful note, the book describes what readers can do to help. Origin stories about various outbreaks successfully break up the narrative, which takes a matter-of-fact tone when describing subjects that can easily be sensationalized. Frequent text boxes, color photographs, and diagrams provide additional material without disrupting the general flow.
An informative, readable text that will appeal to those interested in the subject as well as students seeking material for reports. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-17)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5124-5215-0
Page Count: 140
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2018
PERSPECTIVES
Attractively designed and handsomely illustrated, this informative text introduces teens to many intriguing angles on a...
Will the world end in a bang or a whimper? Unless pre-empted by human-induced disaster or one of many scientifically possible catastrophic scenarios, life on Earth will end a billion years from now in a sizzle.
Predicting the end of the world is an old story, argues the author, presenting evidence in brief surveys of eschatologies from the world's major religions and mythologies of ancient civilizations. Miller also notes how end-of-world scenarios have captured humanity's imagination in their frequent appearances in science-fiction novels and motion pictures. (Disappointingly, the reasons for this ongoing fascination are not explored.) A chapter about imminent predictions for 2012 explains the Mayan prophecy and a theory about a phantom planet called Nibiru crashing into Earth. Another chapter examines pseudoscientific end-of-world theories such as planetary alignment and pole shifts. The primary focus is on scientifically plausible scenarios: self-destruction through nuclear war or continued environmental exploitation; humanity wiped out by a pandemic; an asteroid or comet strike destroying Earth.
Attractively designed and handsomely illustrated, this informative text introduces teens to many intriguing angles on a high-interest topic that should inspire many to further explore the subject. (chronology, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7613-7396-4
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2011
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in.
A gleefully explicit catalogue of the past century’s headline-grabbing bad behavior.
Aimed at readers who don’t need to be told who Brangelina is but may be hazy on “twisted besties” Leopold and Loeb or even Monica Lewinsky, this edutaining survey presents a wide-angle array of murders, sexual follies, controversial trials, race violence, political corruption and general envelope-pushing from the 1906 killing of Stanford White on. Each of the chronologically arranged entries opens with a capsule “Scoop” followed by a slightly fuller account under a “What Went Down” header. Along with a small black-and-white photo and one or two sidebar quotes, the author tacks on subsequent developments, sometimes-perceptive suggestions about “Why We Still Care” and a short roster of similar incidents in recent history. Though she misspells “Symbionese” and repeatedly awards FDR only three Presidential wins, in general Fryd presents reasonably accurate summaries of events and issues while giving all sides of the more muddled conflicts at least a nod. Additional cred is provided by a teen panel of editorial advisors.
Catnip for scandal junkies, with a bit of historical perspective stirred in. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827322-0-5
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Zest/Orange Avenue
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
