HIV, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and pandemic influenza A H1N1 are startling reminders of our vulnerability to emerging infectious diseases; indeed, even Hollywood film-makers seem to share this concern lately. In his book, The Viral Storm , Nathan Wolfe explores the origins of pandemics and the bold notion that we might soon enter an era in which pandemics could be stopped before they even begin.

Though occasiona lly elementary, this is a valuable and informative bo ...