Epidemics in Modern Asia

Abstract

Epidemics have played a critical role in shaping modern Asia. Encompassing two centuries of Asian history, Robert Peckham explores the profound impact that infectious disease has had on societies across the region: from India to China and the Russian Far East. The book tracks the links between biology, history, and geopolitics, highlighting infectious disease's interdependencies with empire, modernization, revolution, nationalism, migration, and transnational patterns of trade. By examining the history of Asia through the lens of epidemics, Peckham vividly illustrates how society's material conditions are entangled with social and political processes, offering an entirely fresh perspective on Asia's transformation. Considers epidemic disease as a global phenomenon while remaining attentive to local, regional and global experience Organized thematically and introduces key topics in Asian history through focused case studies Outlines critical issues in contemporary science, making a specialist literature intelligible to students and a general readership. © Robert Peckham 2016.