Chronicles the last century of scientific struggle against deadly contagious disease--from the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic to the recent SARS, Ebola, and Zika epidemics--examining related epidemiological mysteries and the role of disease in exacerbating world conflicts. From publisher's description.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [375]-419) and index.

Sharks and other predators -- The blue death -- Plague in the City of Angels -- The great parrot fever pandemic -- The "Philly killer" -- Legionnaires' redux -- AIDS in America, AIDS in Africa -- SARS: "super spreader"-- Ebola at the borders -- Z is for Zika -- Epilogue: The pandemic century.