Hays (history, Loyola U. Chicago) describes, in a style accessible to high school students and up, the history of 50 epidemics in world history, from an unspecified disease that swept through Athens in 430-427 BC to a number of epidemics still plaguing the world today. Each chapter is organized into sections describing "when and where," historical significance, background, how it was understood at the time, responses, and unresolved historical issues. Each chapter also includes references and suggested additional readings. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)