The Invisible Fire: The Story of Mankind's Triumph Over the Ancient Scourge of Smallpox

by Joel N. Shurkin

The story of mankind's victory over the ancient scourge of smallpox. Smallpox, one of the deadliest of all diseases, was eradicated in 1979, the only disease to have been wiped from the earth. The deadly virus exists now only in a few labs in the world--we hope. But before it was conquered the disease changed history. Written by an award-winning science writer, The Invisible Fire is the only complete history of the scourge and of the brave and idiosyncratic men and women who defeated one of nature's most lethal viruses.

447 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Also writes as Joel Shurkin.