Spillover

Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic

By: David Quammen

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

Length: 20 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

A gripping, timely audiobook about the transmission of deadly viruses from animal to human populations and how we can tackle a global pandemic.

As globalisation spreads and as we destroy the ancient ecosystems, we encounter strange and dangerous infections that originate in animals but that can be transmitted to humans. Diseases that were contained are being set free, and the results are potentially catastrophic.

In a journey that takes him from Southern China to the Congo, from Bangladesh to Australia, David Quammen tracks these infections to their source and asks what we can do to prevent some new pandemic spreading across the face of the earth.

As cases of coronavirus grow across the globe, discover the work that predicted this viral disaster and the science that could stop the next one in its tracks.

©2012 Quammen (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"A tremendous book...this gives you all you need to know and all you should know." (Sunday Times)

"Chilling.... [A] brilliant, devastating book." (Daily Mail)

Highly rated

This book is easy to listen to and the information is explain so well.

In these uncertain times there is so much misinformation and people who profess to know it all. Therefore it is important to arm yourself with real scientific information.

During this Covid crisis I have had some down days like many I am sure, however after reading and listening to lots of books on epidemiology, zoonotic, virology/ bacteriology it has made me feel so much better informed to deal with what’s happening in the world.

Unfortunately I am now aware of how many people know nothing and talk like they are the font of all knowledge....... may be they need to look at the mount of stupidity on the Dunning Kruger curve.

informative but unnecessarily long

This book is way too long. The author could have said the same thing without adding unnecessary details like the exact number and types of animals sent to the lab or what the menu for a BSL-4 lab quarantine is. I also didn't appreciate how he introduces a virus, starts asking questions, never answers them and moves on to the next chapter to talk about another virus. The narrator is not bad if you can put up with him mispronouncing half the terms (don't they do their homework for this?)

My favourite book ever

As a pandemic geek I love this book
Not only is it fascinating but entertaining
I’ve listened to it repeatedly.
I wish he’d hurry up with the next one!
Narrator is great as well

Outstanding discussion of our emerging viri.

If you have any interest in where and why Covid-19 emerged, this book will make the almost continuous emergence of Viri, crystal clear.

I cannot imagine a more timely book. I just wish Politicians and policy makers would read it.

All manner of emerging viri are discussed and their animal link to human behavior.

Fascinating (minor issues with performance)

The author makes the subject of infectious disease both interesting and understandable to a non-scientist.

I took issue with the performance of the narrator, however, especially their Hollywood trailer-style American accent and the botched pronunciation of the numerous African country/place/people’s names (if a little amusing).

Overall, highly recommended.

Has made the world make sense

I saw this recommended online in response to a question about strains of HIV. Living in a world hit by covid, I thought it sounded like an interesting book, so I bought it. The reader is brilliant, the writing is accessible, the science is just the right balance of detailed and not too difficult. I was an English and Creative Writing student when I started, but I’ve since applied for and been accepted into a Global Health masters degree. This book inspired me to do that, and helped me find meaning in the confusing and scary pandemic we’ve been living through.

Amazing!

One of the best written pieces of popular science out there, and an excellent narration as well (surprised when he has to, sarcastic when it needs to be, etc)

an important read

considering the current times this is a book everyone should have on their bedside. I liked the narrator. the story is long to get to its conclusion as the author enjoys to go into little details, depending on the type of person you are that can be enjoyable or annoying. chapter 114 neatly summerize it all though, so if you really don't have time just listen to that!

Good for anyone who wants to understand the origins and spread of pandemics

This book, although difficult to take in at times (and will benefit me to play again) gave a far better understanding of Covid (and our many failures) than most of the political and scientific announcements I have heard over the past year.
Well worth being in anyone’s collection

Gripping and important subject but infuriating pronunciation

Whereas I admit there are many place names, etc., that may be new to the narrator, the mispronunciation seems almost wilful. By the fifteenth Tan-ZANE-ia I was pulling my hair out.