The Book
Since its founding in 1951, the Epidemic Intelligence Service has waged war on every imaginable ailment. With suitcases kept packed, vaccinations at the ready, the EIS’s little-recognized medical professionals and scientists are always on call. And when an epidemic hits, the EIS will be there to crack the case, however mysterious or deadly. Over the years they have successfully battled polio, cholera, and smallpox, to name a few, and in recent years have turned to the epidemics killing us now—smoking, obesity, and gun violence among them.

These professionals have not served without controversy. But for the most part, they have performed their tasks—difficult, dangerous, or dead end—without fanfare, saving countless lives in the process. The successful EIS model has also spread internationally: former EIS officers on the staff of the Centers for Disease Control have helped to establish nearly thirty similar programs around the world. EIS veterans have gone on to become leaders in the world of public health in organizations such as the World Health Organization.

Track, Investigate, Eradicate takes readers on a riveting journey through the history of this remarkable organization, following Epidemic Intelligence Service officers on their globetrotting quest to eliminate the most lethal and widespread threats to the world’s health.

My Take
I admit it, I judge books by their covers. A cover can tell a reader a lot about a book, and unfortunately in this particular case it gives a poor impression of what is held within the pages. The cover makes the book look like an exciting journey through the perilous job of disease epidemic containment and recovery. In actuality it is a rather dull read.

I can understand wanting to be factual and not sensationalize the stories, but the the cover suggests a whole different type of book. This is great for someone who wants a factual retelling of epidemics and outbreaks as well as how they are dealt with. Its ot a great pick for the casual non-fiction reader as it will not hold your interest.