Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

By: John Green Published: 2025 208 Pages

Briefly, what is this book about?

The ubiquity of tuberculosis (wait, did I just restate the title?) especially outside of the US. And its prevalence despite the fact that a cure is available.

What's the author's angle?

Green was already interested in global health when he met Henry, a young man with tuberculosis (TB) in Sierra Leone, literally on the way out of the country. Green was so affected by Henry and his plight that it eventually led him to completely change his focus, and while I don't want to minimize the vast harms caused by TB, it's apparent that, for Green, it's personal.

Who should read this book?

This is a good book to broaden your horizons. When you consider that (TB) kills over a million people per year. And when you consider that most Americans have only the most cursory knowledge about it (including, at the start, Green by his own admission) this book should be read just to fill out your knowledge of how the world really is. But also TB is terrible and it should receive more attention than it does.

Specific thoughts: Whatever else you may think TB should be getting more attention