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Between Hope and Fear is a popular science book by American author Michael Kinch, first published in 2018.

Overview

Between Hope and Fear by American author Michael Kinch is a popular science book that explains some areas of science, using easily accessible language that appeals more to the general public and medical professionals.

Between Hope and Fear describes general sciences such as immunology, virology, infection and vaccines. In it, he explores the discovery of vaccines and the health improvements that have resulted from our ability to prevent infection.

The book also details the rise of anti-vaccine movements and emphasizes the fact that many key advance in vaccine development were greeted with skepticism by at least some portion of the population.

Summary

A smart and compelling examination of the science of immunity, the public policy implications of vaccine denial, and the real-world outcomes of failing to vaccinate.

If you have a child in school, you may have heard stories of long-dormant diseases suddenly reappearing—cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough cropping up everywhere from elementary schools to Ivy League universities because a select group of parents refuse to vaccinate their children.

Between Hope and Fear tells the remarkable story of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases and their social and political implications. While detailing the history of vaccine invention, Kinch reveals the ominous reality that our victories against vaccine-preventable diseases are not permanent—and could easily be undone. In the tradition of John Barry’s The Great Influenza and Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Emperor of All Maladies, Between Hope and Fear relates the remarkable intersection of science, technology and disease that has helped eradicate many of the deadliest plagues known to man.

Reviews

Between Hope and Fear was reviewed by multiple media outlets.

The New York Times described it as “An important book. As Michael Kinch tells us in Between Hope and Fear, vaccinations have saved millions, possibly billions, of lives.”[1]

The Wall Street Journal proclaimed, “Mr. Kinch offers a masterly exposition of the evolution and operation of our defense against disease-causing microorganisms. The author skillfully weaves historical figures into his narrative, with a good eye for largely forgotten players. Mr. Kinch’s volume ought to be read by parents and policy makers alike, and its message heeded by all."[2]

The popular author, Bill Bryson, stated, “"A terrific book—insightful, authoritative, and endlessly absorbing."[3]

The New York Review of Books indicated, “"The story of smallpox—its malignity and humanity’s triumph over it—is told in Michael Kinch’s Between Hope and Fear. Kinch is profoundly alarmed by our collective amnesia.”[4]

Publisher’s Weekly said, “"Kinch’s argument in favor of reason and science over fear and charlatanism is cogent and well-researched, presenting a large-scale chronological narrative of disease and prevention."[5]

Kirkus Reviews declared the book was “"A comprehensive history of the science of vaccination. Readers of this admirable account will thrill to stories of the conquest of historical plagues and research into preventing today's deadly infections. A riveting chronicle of one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of medical science."[6] [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/03/books/review/michael-kinch-between-hope-and-fear.html

[2] https://www.wsj.com/articles/between-hope-and-fear-review-anxieties-immune-to-reason-1534467920

[3] https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Michael-Kinch/dp/1643132415

[4] https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/05/23/anti-vax-resistance-immunity/

[5] https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-68177-751-1

[6] https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michael-kinch/between-hope-and-fear/