Plague Year

More about the book

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower comes a momentous account of COVID-19, detailing its origins, repercussions, and the ongoing fight to contain it. The narrative begins with the critical early moments of the outbreak in China and concludes with an epilogue on the vaccine rollout and the events surrounding the transition between the election of Joseph Biden and his inauguration. The author presents essential information and intriguing historical parallels, examining the medical, economic, political, and social ramifications of the pandemic. Readers are taken inside the CDC, where faulty test kits cost America valuable time, and into the White House, where early warnings about the virus were met with skepticism. The story also follows a young doctor in a COVID ward and prediction specialists at Goldman Sachs, while delving into the science of the virus and vaccines, including the history of vaccination and the modern anti-vaxxer movement. With a blend of steely-eyed analysis and empathetic storytelling, the author cuts through misinformation to provide a comprehensive portrait of the catastrophe. This account honors the medical professionals who have risked their lives to combat the virus, revealing America’s vulnerabilities, courage, and potential.