Is AIDS a new disease or not? Yes and no, says Mirko Grmek in his subtle, intelligent book. . . . [This] compact history is a refreshingly fair account by a first-class mind with no axes to grind. -- Erik Eckholm, The New York Times Book Review
Grmek has succeeded in writing what may well be the best AIDS book to date. -- Laurie Garrett, The Los Angeles Times Book Review
A masterpiece of historical analysis. -- Elizabeth M. Whelan, Washington Times
An important and provocative book. . . . Anyone concerned with the origins of the epidemic and the history of HIV will want to come to terms with [Grmek's] analysis. -- Elizabeth Fee, Science
Even those who have devoured the literature on AIDS will find this a deeply stimulating book. -- The New York Times Book Review
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
Grmek, a Serbian physician and naturalized French citizen, gives us a broad overview of Aids and how it has shaped the world since its appearance in 1981. The book first examines the early years of the epidemic and then looks at issues created by the new virus. Most of what one has heard about the disease, from stories of Soviet propaganda to popular misconceptions, is touched upon in the book at one place or another. Considerable length is devoted to the question of when and where Aids began, a matter of interest to almost everyone who might want to read this work.
I have two problems with this book. First of all, while comprehensive, it skips too quickly from topic to topic and gives too little detail about some important matters. Secondly, it is quite out of date by now. Scientific progress, not to mention the Aids virus itself, is changing rapidly and so Grmek might be advised to put out an updated edition
