Preface and Introduction Summary and Analysis

The Coming Plague is a warning of epidemics of worldwide proportion to come. Author Laurie Garrett uses modern diseases to raise the alarm for a global early warning system that could help save the world from infectious disease.

In the Preface, Johnathan Mann of the Harvard School of Public Health discusses how our time in history will be tracked by newly emerging epidemics, such as the human immunodeficiency virus. The vulnerability of the world is increased due to modern travel, huge populations, trading of goods and services, and simply the penetration of modern society into even the most remote areas of the world.

In the Introduction, Laurie Garrett discusses her Uncle Bernard's experiences as a doctor in 1932. She also mentions the miracle of penicillin, but points out many, including herself, began to question if diseases thought gone...