The Spanish flu pandemic was responsible for more deaths than the First World War. The death toll was between 20 and 100 million. It was the most devastating epidemic in history with more people dying in one year than in four years of the Black Death in the 14th century. Originating in the Far East the virus was first diagnosed in Spain where as many as 8 million people died in May 1918. Tracing the history of disasters, plagues and pandemics, this book captures the terror of more than 150 unexpected and unforeseen natural forces that changed the world—from the mass extinction of the dinosaurs through to the modern day.
