The Origins of AIDS

'Superb ... Pepin rightly argues that, apart from social factors promoting HIV spread, inherent properties of the virus must determine its fitness to become pandemic. He also provides the best analysis I have read of the declining HIV-2 epidemic in West Africa.' Nature 'Extensively referenced, [this] well-written book reads like a detective story, while at the same time providing a didactic introduction to epidemiology and evolutionary genetics. As far as the origins of AIDS are concerned, unless some completely new evidence emerges, it will be difficult to come up with a better explanation than Pepin's.' Science 'A remarkable feat (...) works out the most likely path the virus took during the years it left almost no tracks'. New York Times 'An impressive feat of scientific scholarship ... absorbing throughout, interweaving quantitative data with historical narrative and lively biographies.' The Lancet 'A model study of epidemiology, microbiology, genetics, and social and cultural history. (...)The Origins of AIDS bear brilliant witness to the costs of living in a world plagued by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases'. The New Republic 'This is scientific history at its most compelling ... He writes with grace and feeling, and makes accessible the scientific and clinical issues. Above all, he comes across as a humane and caring doctor. This is a major contribution to our understanding of the scourge that has defined our times.' Times Literary Supplement 'Superb ... Pepin rightly argues that, apart from social factors promoting HIV spread, inherent properties of the virus must determine its fitness to become pandemic. He also provides the best analysis I have read of the declining HIV-2 epidemic in West Africa.' Nature 'Extensively referenced, [this] well-written book reads like a detective story, while at the same time providing a didactic introduction to epidemiology and evolutionary genetics. As far as the origins of AIDS are concerned, unless some completely new evidence emerges, it will be difficult to come up with a better explanation than Pepin's.' Science 'A remarkable feat [...] works out the most likely path the virus took during the years it left almost no tracks.' New York Times 'An impressive feat of scientific scholarship ... absorbing throughout, interweaving quantitative data with historical narrative and lively biographies.' The Lancet 'A model study of epidemiology, microbiology, genetics, and social and cultural history ... The Origins of AIDS bear brilliant witness to the costs of living in a world plagued by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.' The New Republic 'This is scientific history at its most compelling ... He writes with grace and feeling, and makes accessible the scientific and clinical issues. Above all, he comes across as a humane and caring doctor. This is a major contribution to our understanding of the scourge that has defined our times.' Times Literary Supplement