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Spike: The Virus vs. The People - the Inside Story Hardcover – 22 July 2021

by Jeremy Farrar (Author), Anjana Ahuja (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 448 ratings
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THE TIMES SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR
A GUARDIAN BEST POLITICS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A pulse-racing journey through the science and politics of the pandemic. Did the UK government really 'follow the science' throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, as it claims?

The Coronavirus pandemic has devastated lives and livelihoods around the world - and continues to do so. These personal tragedies will, and must, be told and heard. There is, however, also a truthful and objective scientific narrative to be written about how the virus played out and how the world set about dealing with it. Spike is that story - from the inside. Its author, Jeremy Farrar, is one of the UK's leading scientists and a ­­member of the SAGE emergency committee.

As head of the Wellcome Trust, and an expert in emerging infectious diseases, Jeremy Farrar was one of the first people in the world to hear about a mysterious new respiratory disease in China - and to learn that it could readily spread between people. Farrar describes how it feels as one of the key scientists at the sharp end of a fast-moving situation, when complex decisions must be made quickly amid great uncertainty. His book casts light on the UK government's claims to be 'following the science' in its response to the virus, and is informed not just by Farrar's views but by interviews with other top scientists and political figures.

Farrar, who has spent his career on the frontlines of epidemics including Nipah virus in Malaysia, bird flu in Vietnam and Ebola in West Africa, also reflects on the wider issues of Covid-19: the breath-taking scientific advances in creating tests, treatments and vaccines; the challenge to world leaders to respond for the global good and the need to address inequalities that hold back success against the virus. All these shape how the world ultimately fares not just against Covid-19, but against all the major he­­alth challenges we face globally.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Profile Books
  4. Publication date
    22 July 2021
  5. Dimensions
    13.8 x 3.2 x 21.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1788169220
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1788169226
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Spike Farrar Ahuja

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Review

An explosive book about what he witnessed inside government ― The Times

Urgent and fascinating ... We need memoirs like these, and we need to learn what they are telling us. Quickly. -- Debora Mackenzie ― Guardian

Farrar's riveting "inside story" of his efforts to warn the world of the looming pandemic and devise countermeasures ... a searing indictment of the government's serial failures to follow the science.

-- Mark Honigsbaum ― Observer

The best first-hand account of the first weeks of the pandemic published to date. The passages on the genetic code being smuggled out of China are thrilling and insights into the way Sage and Downing Street operated in those early days are fascinating ... it is refreshingly undiplomatic, honest and brutal in its assessment.

-- Ben Spencer ― Sunday Times

Spike - a scientist's version of Defoe's A Journal of the Plague Year - is a necessary insider's account of how the pandemic was, and should have been, handled ... It is a closely observed and deeply analysed case study of the intersection between science and politics. Beware of politicians claiming to be following the science. There are lessons to be learnt as to how to handle the next pandemic when it comes. Farrar lays them out. The world needs to take heed.

-- Michael Marmot ― Financial Times

A gripping account of the murky interplay between science, medicine, politics, and the media while COVID-19 ravaged the globe ... Farrar brings the insider's access, Ahuja the sense of pace and plot that makes an unfolding public health crisis read like a John le Carré spy thriller -- Rachel Clarke ― Lancet

Reads like a thriller ... tells how the news of Covid-19 first reached the world's scientists, how the pandemic unfolded and how governments reacted and failed to cope -- Joan Bakewell ― New Statesman Books of the Year

A frank inside account, grippingly written ― Times Science Book of the Year

As gripping as a thriller ... Combining candour about what the scientists got wrong with horror stories about the chaos inside Downing Street, it concludes with a fascinating examination of why the argument for a lockdown last autumn was lost ... An important account of how judgment can get clouded in a crisis -- Gaby Hinsliff ― Guardian

Book Description

First book on Covid-19 by a scientist on SAGE, assessing how the government 'followed the science'

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Profile Books; Main edition (22 July 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1788169220
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1788169226
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.8 x 3.2 x 21.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 448 ratings

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Anjana Ahuja

Anjana Ahuja

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
448 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book insightful, providing substantive information for criticism of strategic and policy decisions. They describe the writing quality as well-written, clear, and to the point. Readers also mention the book is accessible and easy to read.

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InsightWriting qualityReadability
24 customers mention ‘Insight’24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, providing substantive information for criticism of strategic and policy decisions. They say it explores the successes and failures of the Covid response. Readers also mention it's interesting and honest.

"...It offers many practical suggestions for how to stem the current failings, and put in place measures to ensure we are better prepared next time...." Read more

"...Free of political spin, it clearly explores the successes and failures , attributes credit where it is due and calls out failures in leadership and..." Read more

"Interesting book, particularly around what was known when, but disappointing as to how little reflection there was to the mistakes that the SAGE..." Read more

"A very enlightening book that reveals how scientists work internationally with each, voluntarily, and how much we rely on these people, the World..." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Writing quality’13 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, clear, and to the point. They say it's a good read that is worth reading for what happened, how it happened, and how we avoid it happening in the future. Readers also mention the book is perfect for telling the story from many people's perspectives.

"...The Answer is too much to be discounted as score-settling. Farrar writes clearly and to the point...." Read more

"An exceptionally well written, honest, and gripping account of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perceptive of the scientists...." Read more

"...But even the writer acknowledges this. Overall, great read. I took it on my holiday. Finished it in the week." Read more

"...Well worth reading for what happened, how it happened and how we avoid it happening in the future." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Readability’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book accessible and easy to read. They say it's a good account.

"...An excellent book that should be read by everyone that cares about the state of not just the UK but also the planet." Read more

"...book after reading a review in the Times and have to say it was an easy read for someone who hasn’t studied science since the early 70s...." Read more

"Very well accessible book...." Read more

"Must read. Clear readable and devastating insider account of the pandemic. Johnson has a lot to answer for. Vaccines are indeed a success story." Read more

The first 32 pages have been cut smaller than the remainder of the book.
5 out of 5 stars
The first 32 pages have been cut smaller than the remainder of the book.
The content appears to be complete but the first 32 pages have been cut smaller than the remainder of the book.Pages 33 onwards are in perfect order.Since posting a review yesterday Amazon have come back to me and offered a discount which I have been pleased to accept
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

Mike MacPherson
5.0 out of 5 stars mounting evidence
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2021
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I read this after watching the Cumming-Kuensberg TV interview. How much of what Cumming claims would be corroborated by an independent scientist? The Answer is too much to be discounted as score-settling. Farrar writes clearly and to the point. He hardly wastes a word and this makes his account the more compelling. He's not a brilliant scientist with a deep understanding of the biology of pandemics but instead brings almost a lifetime of experience working in SE Asia usually catching up with hitherto poorly understood diseases. His viewpoint remains that of a very worried clinician, desperate to find effective ways to halt global spread. This is not an uninvolved account, he writes as he feels and I found this all the more compelling. The cases for an immediate public inquiry conducted at the highest legal standards is well made. I expect other accounts - especially from Vallance and Whitty - will be scrutinized. It seems unlikely these can differ much from what Farrar has given. He provides substantial ways to cross-check each observation and as far as I can tell has no cause for seeking revenge, just an earnest desire for the truth and alarm that unless lessons are learnt now, another pandemic is inevitable.
14 people found this helpful
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ky
4.0 out of 5 stars Another Interesting Chronology of Pandemic History
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 December 2022
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In a few places Farrar helped with nudging things along in the response to the Pandemic. I sense an attempt at self justification in some of the narrative where he feels he could have done more?
Farrar’s version of events confirms what was already known about Hancock and Johnson’s culpability for many of the avoidable UK deaths during the pandemic. ‘Failures of State’, by Jonathan Calvert & George Arbuthnott make a similar charge and Farrar’s account of events corroborates it.
In both books, as well as in ‘What Really Happened in Wuhan’, and ‘Viral’, political incompetence in many countries is excruciating to read, China, UK, USA etc. Farrar is one of many witnesses to Johnson’s executive dithering and delay that cost the UK billions in avoidable economic damage. Had Johnson been a company director, and UK Plc a company, he would be personally criminally liable, under Health & Safety legislation.
It is equally heartening to read Farrar’s accounts of, Taiwan, South Korea, and New Zealand, who each demonstrated admirable political leadership and competence which saved both lives and emeliorated economic damage.
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David Franklin
5.0 out of 5 stars Sobering but essential reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2021
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This is not ‘just’ a book about the current global pandemic. It also provides a very revealing insight into the fitness of our current government to govern. It is far from reassuring in that respect. Given Johnson’s (please don’t refer to him as ‘Boris’) reluctance to learn from this unfolding disaster this is the closest we have to a public enquiry. It offers many practical suggestions for how to stem the current failings, and put in place measures to ensure we are better prepared next time. An excellent book that should be read by everyone that cares about the state of not just the UK but also the planet.
3 people found this helpful
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Nicholas Doe
5.0 out of 5 stars An interim public enquiry
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2021
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This is a deeply insightful assessment of the world's response to the pandemic, written by someone closely involved in the national and international groups responsible for that response.

Free of political spin, it clearly explores the successes and failures , attributes credit where it is due and calls out failures in leadership and policy without fear or favour.

In the absence of a timely and effective public enquiry to date, this analysis should serve as a reference document to how we must respond to be prepared for future pandemic threats.
8 people found this helpful
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Sarah
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but a bit disappointing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2022
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Interesting book, particularly around what was known when, but disappointing as to how little reflection there was to the mistakes that the SAGE group made in relation to care homes. No admission of how they were overlooked, how no-one with experience on the ground in care homes had been invited to be involved in any of the analysis etc and only 8 mentions mostly just one word attached to hospitals. Very disappointing for all the people who died because of the negilgence of the scientists in ignoring the asymptomatic issue (too much arrogance sadly to learn from others), ignoring the learning from other countries on the use of face masks (same) and thinking that only academics should be part of the analysis (same). It led to tens of thousands of deaths in care homes across the UK. So very disappointed that even in a reflection such as this, where there is a chance to acknowledge their huge misjudgements on this, was overlooked.
One person found this helpful
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Dr David E. Ward
4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of info but difficult to get stuck into
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2021
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This is obv a book jumping in early as it were. The saga has a long way to go. I will get to the end but it’s hard work for some reason. It won’t go “viral”!
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M. Milroy
5.0 out of 5 stars Absent personnel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2021
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I bought this book after reading a review in the Times and have to say it was an easy read for someone who hasn’t studied science since the early 70s. However a glaring omission which, once I’d noticed it, sent me scouring the Notes, Glossary, Dramatis Personae and footnotes. Namely, where was mention of the work of Prof Sarah Gilbert and Dr Catherine Green on the Oxford vaccine? On pg 192 there is mention of the vaccines approval in December 2020 but no mention of the amazing scientists who had the core of the vaccine ready as the news of the China virus was breaking.
I’m perplexed as these two women have saved the lives of thousands of people and will continue to work on tweaking the vaccine to cover the variants- I’m sure there’s a perfectly ‘reasonable’ explanation but one that only Sir Jeremy knows!
10 people found this helpful
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Steve Hunt
5.0 out of 5 stars The inside story that needed to be told
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2023
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A very enlightening book that reveals how scientists work internationally with each, voluntarily, and how much we rely on these people, the World Health Organisation, and SAGE being the most well known.
This of course is mainly the UK story, and the massive failures of Johnson's government, especially ignoring scientific advice, whilst telling the UK public there were following the advice.
This book also explains how and why ended up with so many variants, and what we should have done differently, and need to learn for the future, both domestically and internationally.
I would say, if you are interested in the story of how the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, this is a must read.
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Top reviews from other countries

paradocs2
5.0 out of 5 stars The Shocking Truth
Reviewed in the United States on 23 November 2021
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This is really a diary with names, dates and times how knowledge of the covid-19 evolved, how Britain's scientific establishment developed policy and how political leadership failed disastrously. As Chief Medical Officer/Director of the Wellcome Trust and an experienced infectious disease doc , Farrar was plugged into leading health and intelligence personnel around the world. The shocking thing is that by the end of March, 2020 sophisticated public health experts who were paying attention knew that the virus was spread by asymptomatic people and likely by droplet or aerosols and not by touching objects. All the temperature taking, symptom reviews and hand washing and sanitizers were Bull Pucky!
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Tony Edmonds
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping truthful story told from the inside
Reviewed in Canada on 28 August 2021
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Science has struggled first to understand Covid and secondly to get UK and world politicians to understand science's message and to respond appropriately.
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Duttakripa
4.0 out of 5 stars An inside view: science vs policy
Reviewed in India on 16 October 2021
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While, it is good to see a book around the topic of COVID, it’s not as much about the virus vs people, as much the book speaks more about science and policy makers or the deterrents around them. It did give a sense of how fragmented and complicated the process of decision making is when it relates to such global issues. But it was also reinforcing to note that the science in the end did come to the rescue. And also that the pandemic has indeed resulted in a massive restructuring of health and priorities at global level. A good read.
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seahorse
5.0 out of 5 stars is anybody listening
Reviewed in Australia on 1 January 2022
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despite reading widely reported failures in the management of covid I found the contents of this book astounding and frightening. I fear for our future than lessons haven’t been learned. it should be compulsory reading for all world leaders. what in gods name are they thinking.
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Inbaraja S. Krishnan
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read
Reviewed in the United States on 1 October 2021
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The story of the unsung heroes who alerted the world to COVID-19, in late December 2019 and early January 2020, needs to be told. "Spike: The Virus vs. The People" written by Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome Trust, is a must read and depicts the brave efforts of these virologists amidst harrowing threats by the Chinese government to silence them. An intriguing tale also involves MI5, the FBI and Australia's ASIO, and a paper slated for publication in Nature in January 2020 based on a genome sequence of a sample taken from a Wuhan patient on 3 January that points to human-to-human transmission.
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