Rats, Lice and History

A lively and wide-ranging exploration of the role epidemic disease has played in shaping human history, this classic work focuses especially on typhus and the tiny parasites that spread it. Written by a Harvard bacteriologist and noted medical historian, the book blends scientific explanation with storytelling, tracing how wars, revolutions, and social upheavals were influenced—sometimes decided—by outbreaks of infection. With wit and clarity, it examines the interplay between microbes, human behavior, and historical change, while also illuminating the development of modern bacteriology. Both informative and entertaining, it will appeal to readers interested in medical history, epidemiology, and the hidden biological forces that have shaped civilization.