Author: Jeff + Claude AI
Genre: Health
Category: Medicine
Date: 4th June 2026
Description: For thousands of years, smallpox stalked humanity, toppling empires and leaving its mark on kings and commoners alike. This sweeping account traces the disease from its ancient origins and devastating global epidemics to the pioneering work of early inoculators and Edward Jenner's revolutionary vaccine. Blending medical history, science, and human drama, it follows the extraordinary international effort that led to one of humanity's greatest public health triumphs—and examines what the fight against smallpox still teaches us today.