Book & podcast collection

A Pox on Fools: The True Believers, Grifters, and Cynics Who Convinced Us to Reject Vaccines

byThomas Levenson

Thomas Levenson investigates why resistance to vaccination has persisted alongside its medical successes. Moving from early smallpox inoculation to modern public health disputes, he examines recurring fears about nature, safety, and personal freedom. The book follows the people and institutions that turned uncertainty into organized opposition, distinguishing understandable questions from deliberate manipulation. Through three historical essays, Levenson connects scientific discovery with religious beliefs, political interests, and commercial incentives, explaining how familiar arguments gain new force when trust erodes and the memory of infectious disease fades.

Publisher

Random House

Publication date

2026-06-09

Format

Hardcover

Pages

208

ISBN

9798217155002