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Works by Timothy C Winegard

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A thorough overview of the role of the mosquito in human history. It is written by an historian, so there is not much science in the book, so stick with a more entomology or medical based book if that is your preference. This lacks the narrative force of guns, germs and steel, but does a good job illustrating the point. I disliked the conceit of referring to the mosquito as General Anopholes,
But felt the author did a good job and provided an interesting look at crisper and the ethical questions that arise when confronted with the power to make a species extinct… (more)
 
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cspiwak | 17 other reviews | Mar 6, 2024 |
Disturbing, very informative, couldn't put it down. I will never look at Mosquitoes the same again. Really good job of keeping the reader interested.
 
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JannetteRoberge | 17 other reviews | Jun 18, 2023 |
Winegard tells the story of how mosquito-borne illnesses have impacted history. I read a lot of history, and I was actually hoping this book would have more biology in it. It does have some fascinating information about the mosquito life-cycle and how they spread disease, but I was hoping for more information about how they interact with the ecosystem. Instead, the book is basically a trip through history, looking at how illness, mostly malaria, has impacted events.
 
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Gwendydd | 17 other reviews | Jan 1, 2023 |
I found this book to be a revelation. Some might quibble with scientific terminology or focus on particular of history, but mosquito-borne disease has killed half of all humans in history! Did you all know this already? Why is it not at the center of school history textbooks?
Nearly every military struggle in history has had its outcome affected by mosquitos. Christianity as a religion was significantly shaped by the mosquito. The formation of the modern world, the Columbian Exchange, the slave trade, all these things were inexorably shaped by diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever.
Particularly in a time -as Winegard points out- when human defenses against maladies like Malaria are significantly weaker than they have been in the past, I find this to be a vital subject and an enthralling book.
… (more)
 
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Chris_Cob | 17 other reviews | Jan 26, 2022 |

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