Fighting Cancer

Gr 6–9—Some of public medicine's greatest triumphs as well as ongoing struggles are highlighted in these examinations of modern plagues. Historical backgrounds are sketched in, but along with describing each malady's causes and effects, the authors focus chiefly on current incidence, treatments, public awareness campaigns, and research toward cures. Except for several stomach-churning photos of victims in Fighting Smallpox, the illustrations are largely generic, less-than-informative depictions of lab scientists sporting white coats, Third World residents, and melodramatic graphic representations of viruses. Aside from Fighting Cancer—which contains alarmist generalizations about cell phone radiation, a sweeping claim that "men under the age of 30 are particularly at risk from testicular cancer," and an observation that breast removal, à la Angelina Jolie, is an effective preventive measure—these titles nonetheless make serviceable complements and updates for the equivalent titles in Rosen's 2010 series "Epidemics and Society."