Well, the title is definitely an eyecatcher. One thinks, “Wait, how can EVERYTHING be tuberculosis?” Is my toaster tuberculosis? This website? It’s such an outrageous claim it forces us to read the subtitle — “The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection.” Okay, that clears things up a bit.
The cover itself is oddly washed out. We thought it was an orange at first, but if you look closely, you’re staring at some kind of microscopic somethings. It’s subtle, subdued, and maybe even retro-chic — a nice visual pairing with the quietly ominous subject matter.
We’re going to be generous and give this book a good rating. Once you parse it, you definitely know what it’s about. Whether you (or we) are ready for a full-on TB deep dive is a separate matter. Still, props for the bold title and unexpected intrigue.
Based on the Cover, We Think This Book Is About…
The history of tuberculosis. Duh.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
John Green blends science, history, and personal storytelling as he explores tuberculosis—its deadly persistence, its social stigma, and the healthcare inequities that fuel it. At the heart of the book is Henry Reider, a young TB patient in Sierra Leone whose story brings humanity to a curable disease that still claims over a million lives a year.