Eradication: Ridding the World of Diseases Forever? by Nancy Leys Stepan Summary
Overview of Eradication: Ridding the World of Diseases Forever?
In "Eradication," Nancy Leys Stepan chronicles humanity's quest to eliminate diseases forever. Endorsed by Bill Gates, who praised its lessons from past failures, this eye-opening history asks: Can we truly eradicate disease, or are we fighting an impossible battle?
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Key takeaways
When a Single Disease Changed Everything
In 1947, a Mexican traveler arrived in New York City carrying an invisible passenger-smallpox. Within days, panic gripped the city. Five million people lined up for emergency vaccinations. Schools closed. Quarantines locked down entire neighborhoods. One disease, one person, one city transformed into chaos. Yet just thirty years later, smallpox would become the first-and still only-disease humanity deliberately erased from existence. How did we go from terror to triumph? And more importantly, can we do it again? The story of disease eradication is far more complicated than we imagine. It's not just about science or medicine. It's about power, politics, and the audacious belief that we can bend nature to our will. Through the lens of campaigns against yellow fever, malaria, polio, and ultimately smallpox, we discover a pattern of spectacular successes and devastating failures-each teaching us something profound about what it takes to eliminate disease forever.
The General Who Waged War on Mosquitoes
The Miracle Chemical That Wasn't
The One Disease We Actually Defeated
The Diseases That Won't Go Away
Building Health Systems That Last
The Wisdom of Knowing When to Stop
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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