Summer Reading List: The Ghost Map

The UC Berkeley Summer Reading List is an annual compilation of recommended (though not required) readings suggested by Cal faculty, staff, and students as a welcome to incoming freshmen and transfer students.

This week we take a closer look at The Ghost Map, Steven Johnson, New York: Riverhead Books, 2006.

“John Snow has been called ‘The father of geographic information systems (GIS),’The father of public health,’ ‘The father of environmental engineering,’ and ‘The father of epidemiology.’ Read this fascinating book about his approach to understanding the real cause for cholera in London in the 19th century, and how he won political battles to protect the public’s health. This is an excellent book for students at all levels including those with no background in biology or public health.”

—CHARLOTTE SMITH, Lecturer, School of Public Health

This post was contributed by Michael Larkin Lecturer, College Writing Programs

Tim Dilworth First Year Coordinator, Library

Jonathan Garrett Site designer, Doe & Moffitt Libraries