Upon its original publication; Plagues and Peoples was an immediate critical and popular success; offering a radically new interpretation of world history as seen through the extraordinary impact--political; demographic; ecological; and psychological--of disease on cultures. From the conquest of Mexico by smallpox as much as by the Spanish; to the bubonic plague in China; to the typhoid epidemic in Europe; the history of disease is the history of humankind. With the identification of AIDS in the early 1980s; another chapter has been added to this chronicle of events; which William McNeill explores in his new introduction to this updated editon.Thought-provoking; well-researched; and compulsively readable; Plagues and Peoples is that rare book that is as fascinating as it is scholarly; as intriguing as it is enlightening. "A brilliantly conceptualized and challenging achievement" (Kirkus Reviews); it is essential reading; offering a new perspective on human history.
#128080 in Books Mary Ann Glendon 2002-06 2002-06-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .78 x 5.20l; .59 #File Name: 0375760466368 pagesA World Made New Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent BookBy A Reader"A World Made New" is an excellent book about "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and the "birth process" of this important declaration; as well as Eleanor Rossevelt's important contributions in this process. It seems to be a must to read for everyone interested in "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights"; its development processes and/or the key people and contributors towards this declaration. Highly Recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Informative readBy CPThe title is a bit of a misnomer as the book is primarily about the drafting of the Declaration; and much less about Ms. Roosevelt. That said; the work provides great insights into the background of that seminal document and the "perfect storm" of events that allowed it to come to fruition. The sketches of the principals involved give it a welcome dimension of "human interest" value. It is fascinating to consider how the process was buffeted and ways in which the document could have ended up--such as providing rights of the unborn.The book is an easy read; though wonks will appreciate the various drafts of the Declaration in the appendices. The author presents the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an accomplishment of the first order; and she is right. We are all well advised to hone our appreciation of it. Reading this book is an excellent way to do so.I give it 4 stars because the last chapter is a little weak; and because of the book's misleading premise regarding Eleanor. Don't let that stop you from reading it. It's a rewarding pick.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is not a light read; but it is ...By S DunkinThis is not a light read; but it is well worth the time and effort. You just take it chapter by chapter; as there is a lot to digest. Sometimes you might double back to recall details and dates of developments. It puts s human face to the major Human Rights developments in modern history. It showcases how the civilized world came about - via highly-talented; highly-motivated people who had vision. Their vision has not always been followed in the manner they envisaged.
