Smallpox was a terrifying human scourge. It covered the skin with hideous, painful boils, killed a third of its victims, and left survivors disfigured for life. This riveting book tells the story of smallpox, of efforts to eradicate it, and of the dangers it still poses today.

"Eradicating smallpox was one of the great medical success stories in human history. The disease once killed large numbers of people, but vaccination programs brought case numbers to zero by the 1970s. Smallpox explores the history and science behind this disease, as well as how it's treated. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary,...

Latina novelist Alma Huebner is suffering from writer's block and is years past the completion date for yet another of her bestselling family sagas. Her husband, Richard, works for a humanitarian organization dedicated to the health and prosperity of developing countries and wants her help on an extended AIDS assignment in the Dominican Republic. But Alma begs off joining him: the publisher is breathing down her neck. She promises to work hard and...

"This book explores some of history's most gruesome diseases. Readers will be enthralled by the history and science of terrible plagues and the bacteria, bugs, bad hygiene, and rats responsible."--

Ranger the time-travelling Golden retriever and young Isaac Pope come together in 1776 during Washington's retreat after the Battle of Long Island, and Ranger stays with Isaac while he slowly recovers from Smallpox--but Ranger's real mission comes later when Isaac is sent to spy out the Hessian troops' intentions before the Battle of Trenton.

While conducting research for a school paper on smallpox, Mitty finds an envelope containing 100-year-old smallpox scabs and fears that he has infected himself and all of New York City.

South Africa, 1880. Frances Irvine, destitute in the wake of her father's sudden death, is forced to abandon her life of wealth and privilege in London and emigrate to the Cape. In this remote and inhospitable land she becomes entangled with two very different men, leading her into the dark heart of the diamond mines. Torn between passion and integrity, she makes a choice that has devastating consequences.