The Malaria Capers: Tales of Parasites and People

by Robert S. Desowitz

"Reads like a murder mystery…[Desowitz] writes with uncommon lucidity and verse, leaving the reader with a vivid understanding of malaria and other tropical diseases, and the ways in which culture, climate and politics have affected their spread and containment." ― New York Times Why, Robert S. Desowitz asks, has biotechnical research on malaria produced so little when it had promised so much? An expert in tropical diseases, Desowtiz searches for answers in this provocative book.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Medicine, History, Medical, Biology

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen years old now, and the editing is horrible, but enthralling nevertheless. An indictment of letting profit dictate medical research.

[Barmak Kusha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dated, especially given the massive attention paid to malaria and other neglected tropical diseases starting in 2005, with the Global Fund, the US President's Malaria Initiative, The Gates Foundation, etc. and this detracts from the main thrust of the book, that no one cares about these diseases and their victims. The world has radically changed since then. Lastly, it is way too cynical a book. Even for its time: 1991. It's written as if by a British journalist, with an acid pen. I had to stop after 90 or so pages. Instead am moving on to "Mosquito" by Spielman and D'Antonio, at least 10 years more up to date, and more serious.

[Linus Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. One of the fundamental conundrums of modern medicine is the lack of actionable treatments for diseases that afflict millions of people around the world. Most of this is due to bureaucracy and the decline in field work (and a subsequent uptick in nicely controlled basic science that, while interesting, helps no one put solutions in place). Desowitz chronicles the struggle against Kala Azar (leishmaniasis) and malaria in an engaging and well-written book. Tropical medicine has a set of unique characters, and Desowitz knew many of them first-hand. I enjoyed this book greatly, and will be reading more by the author.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was a good history lesson about malaria and kala azar, a similar disease that benefitted from mosquito control measures. Interesting story about how kala azar spread again after the malaria program ended over in Asia. After that, the book gets dated very quickly, because medicine is so much further along than when the book was written.

[Ashley K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

My low rating is perhaps unduly harsh because it reflects how much this book has aged; when it came out, I'm sure it merited a higher one.

I appreciated how it put personal stories to malaria and kala azar patients rather than sticking strictly to the science, but even so, I found it rather dry and so outdated that it felt like a waste of my time.

[Mish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THIS.
A look into what /actually/ happened when scientists went abroad to study Malaria, how Malaria works, and how it is a crisis still happening, silently to Americans/1st world countries. Malaria has no cure.

Such an interesting look at it, and a definite MUST READ.

[Joy-Rene Griffith-Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worse than the first one.

[Claudie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting story by a gifted storyteller

[Bob Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Desowitz gives us a historical glimpse at tropical medicine, focusing on the wars being waged against two devastating diseases---Leishmaniasis and Malaria. Leishmaniasis , also called Kala Azar, is not known well in the west, but it occurs in some 90 countries around the world and has caused daunting epidemics that left hundreds of thousands dead. And Malaria has confounded humans for centuries and despite modest advances in prevention and treatment, is implicated in 350-500,000 infections and one million deaths annually.

There are similarities and differences between the two. Both diseases are caused by protozoans. Both cause fever and anemia. Both can be fatal. But Leishmaniasis is caused by the bite of a sandfly and Malaria by the bite of a mosquito, Leishmaniasis presents in two forms, cutaneous and visceral, while Malaria’s symptoms, caused by one of four different protozoans, presents with symptoms that can mimic many diseases. And there is no known prophylactic for the former but there are these days a handful of pretty good options for preventing and treating Malaria.

Still, science has had very limited success in finding solutions to these troublesome diseases. DDT spraying reduced the numbers of mosquitoes and sandflies for a period of time in the 50s and 60s, but when use of this insecticide was curtailed, the diseases returned with a vengeance. Malaria prophylactics and treatment options such as chloroquine have been hailed as magic bullets for a season, then found to have limitations: chloroquine resistance has now presented itself in all of Africa, most of Asia, and much of South America. And the elusive search for a Malaria vaccine goes on and on and on.

This book is almost ancient now—1991—and a lot has happened in tropical medicine since Desowitz wrote—but these two and a host of other tropical diseases continue to foil science and medicine’s attempts at producing cures. Are we getting any closer? I’m not holding my breath. The organisms that cause these diseases are surprisingly versatile.

[Tashia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In most cases a book about Kala Azar and Malaria wouldn't be engaging, but somehow this one was. After years of not cracking a biology textbook I found myself recalling lectures from a decade ago all the while chuckling at the author's writing. It is not many than can make guinea worms, malaria, and medical research amusing, but somehow the author succeeds. It is not, however, an easy read with dozens of versions of plasmodium to keep straight it takes a while but is thoroughly educational and really paints a picture for the challenges that malaria presents to todays developing world.

[Brandon Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The first 1/3 of the book is a bit disjointed, but by about pg. 70 or so, the author really gets into the map of the malaria stories and saga. The author is witty and has a real skill at breaking down the complexities related to the disease, it's various types, phases as well as the web of stories related to the turbulent efforts aimed at its eradication. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in diseases, geo-political health initiatives and/or public health.

[Paul Kaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal book. It reminds me of Freakonomics in the style of having several different stories that together tell a larger story.

I don't think many people realize how malaria has killed more humans than any other animal, including other humans (see http://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/Most... for more details).

While there was biology and entomology throughout the book, it was not difficult for someone inexperienced in those fields to read and understand.

[Mike Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in the fight against malaria. It could use a slight update, since a great deal has happened in the world of malaria since the book was published in 1993, but sadly, Desowitz is no longer with us.

[Nola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows the difficulty of fighting malaria, not only because it is such a complex parasite, but also because of human mistakes and corruption. This book also show some of the suffering caused by malaria on a personal level.

[Rachel C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I wrote a review for this when I read it but accidentally deleted a whole bunch of reviews when I was reorganizing my shelves... So I guess I just have to read them all again so I can give accurate reviews :D

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. made reading the history of malaria like reading a novel. lots of interesting medical factoids, but i think non-docs would appreciate them as well. would be interested in checking out some of his other work.

[Gary McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book of strange true stories by a man who has lived them all. He has a dry sense of humor which makes the book delightful while it explains how and why men always make things worse when we think we're making things better.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, both the introductory section on leishmaniasis and the main section on malaria. It's a bit out of date at this point, but still a great read for anyone who enjoys the processes and personalities involved in infectious disease research

[Ahmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few interesting tales here if you get past the parenthetical name-dropping, superfluous anecdotes, and hideous puns.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing tale of malaria and leishmania parasites and the struggle to control these diseases. Desowitz seemlessly melds together scientific facts with comedic tie-ins, making this a joy to read.

[Lia]

Dr Armand Kuris at UCSB, an amazing researcher on Parasites, recommended that I read this book. It's like a biological thriller about discovering malaria.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical review of malaria medicine through time. Desowitz writes to be understood. I loved this book.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at an important public health issue.