Spillover

Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic

David Quammen

The book investigates the science, history, and human impact of zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans—exploring how human encroachment into wildlife habitats increases the risk of pandemics. It delves into case studies of various diseases, such as Ebola and SARS, and features interviews with scientists and researchers on the front lines of preventing the next global outbreak.

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The Tangled Tree

A Radical New History of Life

David Quammen

The book explores the revolutionary concept of horizontal gene transfer and its implications for the understanding of life's evolution, challenging the traditional tree-like model of biological lineage. It delves into the work of scientists like Carl Woese, who redefined the tree of life by discovering a third domain of life, and examines the complex, web-like nature of genetic inheritance across species.

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