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Spillover

Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A gripping, timely book about the transmission of deadly viruses from animal to human populations, and how we can tackle a global pandemic.

As globalization spreads and as we destroy the ancient ecosystems, we encounter strange and dangerous infections that originate in animals but that can be transmitted to humans. Diseases that were contained are being set free and the results are potentially catastrophic.

In a journey that takes him from southern China to the Congo, from Bangladesh to Australia, David Quammen tracks these infections to their source, and asks what we can do to prevent some new pandemic spreading across the face of the earth.

As cases of Coronavirus grow across the globe, discover the book that predicted this viral disaster and the science that could stop the next one in its tracks.

‘A tremendous book...this gives you all you need to know and all you should know’ Sunday Times

‘Chilling… [A] brilliant, devastating book’ Daily Mail

2013, National Book Critics Circle Non-Fiction Award, Short-listed

2013, Society of Biology Book of the Year, Winner

©2012 Quammen (P)2020 Penguin Audio Contagious Diseases Ecology Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Physical Illness & Disease Science Sociology Africa China

Critic reviews

A frightening and fascinating masterpiece of science reporting that reads like a detective story (Walter Isaacson)
It may have been eight years since David Quammen's Spillover was first published, but its prescience is spookily topical this plague year (Richard Dawkins)
Travelling deep into the rainforest with the scientists hoping to identify the next pandemic pathogen, Quammen's book is plotted like a detective thriller (Gaia Vince)
Quammen’s book is compelling and shows that there are many candidates out there vying to be the next pandemic (Euan Lawson)
Quammen has a wide range of knowledge, an agile pen, and a generous heart (James Gorman)
All stars
Most relevant
Whereas I admit there are many place names, etc., that may be new to the narrator, the mispronunciation seems almost wilful. By the fifteenth Tan-ZANE-ia I was pulling my hair out.

Gripping and important subject but infuriating pronunciation

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The author makes the subject of infectious disease both interesting and understandable to a non-scientist.

I took issue with the performance of the narrator, however, especially their Hollywood trailer-style American accent and the botched pronunciation of the numerous African country/place/people’s names (if a little amusing).

Overall, highly recommended.

Fascinating (minor issues with performance)

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One of the best written pieces of popular science out there, and an excellent narration as well (surprised when he has to, sarcastic when it needs to be, etc)

Amazing!

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I saw this recommended online in response to a question about strains of HIV. Living in a world hit by covid, I thought it sounded like an interesting book, so I bought it. The reader is brilliant, the writing is accessible, the science is just the right balance of detailed and not too difficult. I was an English and Creative Writing student when I started, but I’ve since applied for and been accepted into a Global Health masters degree. This book inspired me to do that, and helped me find meaning in the confusing and scary pandemic we’ve been living through.

Has made the world make sense

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As a pandemic geek I love this book
Not only is it fascinating but entertaining
I’ve listened to it repeatedly.
I wish he’d hurry up with the next one!
Narrator is great as well

My favourite book ever

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