In Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, John Green delivers a riveting narrative that blends medical history, personal storytelling, and global health critique into a single, unforgettable work. At its heart is the story of a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone, whose experience becomes a lens for understanding how this ancient, curable disease continues to devastate millions across the globe.
Green traces the trajectory of tuberculosis from its colonial entanglements to the present-day failures of global health infrastructure, illuminating how poverty, stigma, and inequitable access to care sustain one of the deadliest infections in human history. Drawing on insights from physicians, researchers, and community health workers, he reveals that the persistence of tuberculosis is not merely a biological problem, but a moral one – a reflection of how societies distribute resources, attention, and compassion.
Combining narrative depth with a scientist’s precision and a humanitarian’s empathy, Green compels readers to reconsider the intersections of medicine, power, and justice. For global health researchers, physicians, and advocates committed to tackling infectious disease and advancing health equity, Everything Is Tuberculosis is essential reading – a work that informs, unsettles, and ultimately inspires action. It’s the kind of book that demands to be discussed, shared, and placed in the hands of anyone determined to change how the world responds to preventable suffering.