The Invisible Invaders: The Story of the Emerging Age of Viruses

Radetsky, coauthor of Peak Condition, here presents a highly literate and clarifying explanation of the history, nature and operation of viruses responsible for AIDS, cancer and other lethal diseases. Starting with British physician Edward Jenner's 19th-century discovery of a smallpox vaccine, the author profiles research and researchers, recounting in vivid detail how their discoveries have all but eliminated yellow fever, polio and measles and identified the AIDS virus. And, according to Radetsky, research on immunology and the gene-infiltrating, AIDS-type retrovirus may lead not only to the conquest of viral diseases but reveal the ``positive'' role that viruses have long played. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Jan.)