How a Pandemic Changed the World & How to Stop the Next One

Preventable

**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER | BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK** 
 
The definitive story of COVID-19 and how global politics shape our health - from a world-leading expert and the pandemic's go-to science communicator 
 
Professor Devi Sridhar has risen to prominence for her vital roles in communicating science to the public and speaking truth to power. In Preventable she highlights lessons learned from outbreaks past and present in a narrative that traces the COVID-19 pandemic - including her personal experience as a scientist - and sets out a vision for how we can better protect ourselves from the inevitable health crises to come. 
 
In gripping and heartfelt prose, Sridhar exposes the varied realities of those affected and puts you in the room with key decision makers at crucial moments. She vibrantly conveys the twists and turns of a plot that saw: deadlier varients emerge (contrary to the predictions of social media pundits who argued it would mutate to a milder form); countries with weak health systems like Senegal and Vietnam fare better than countries like the US and UK (which were consistently ranked as the most prepared); and the quickest development of game-changing vaccines in history (and their unfair distribution) 
 
Combining science, politics, ethics and economics, this definitive book dissects the global structures that determine our fate, and reveals the deep-seated economic and social inequalities at their heart - it will challenge, outrage and inspire. 
 
'A brutally compelling reminder that if voices like Devi's had been listened to, so many more could have lived' OWEN JONES 
 
'One of the most brilliant scientists in the world who has been proven consistently right in this crisis' PIERS MORGAN 
 
'Excellent . . . Fair, clear and compelling' NICOLA STURGEON 
 
'Those who have found Professor Devi Sridhar's expertise and calm advice invaluable since the arrival of Covid-19 will be glad to know that she has written Preventable' RACHEL COOKE, Guardian, Non-fiction to look out for in 2022

The sensational story of how a disaster was turned into a catastrophe, with the clarity, precision and humanity that you would expect from one of the most important voices of reason of the COVID era. A brutally compelling reminder that if voices like Devi's had been listened to, so many more could have lived

Excellent . . . Fair, clear and compelling. And like all of Devi's contributions over the course of the pandemic, very accessible

One of the most brilliant scientists in the world who has been proven consistently right in this crisis

Powerful . . . If we're to stop history from repeating itself when the next pandemic pathogen emerges, books such as Preventable are very much welcome

Contributions such as Devi's will be the building blocks of the learning we need, as a global community, to create the awareness required for the healthier and safer world all people deserve

Dr Tedros, Director-General of the World Health Organization

Devi is a public health expert with deep knowledge and expertise in the field. She has a unique ability to translate complex public health challenges, research and recommendations into language experts and non-experts alike can understand. I always read and listen to what she has to say and I hope you will too

Brilliant. I read it like a thriller that I had lived through, a fascinating, detailed and personal account of the pandemic that takes you behind and beyond the headlines. I suspect it will be the most readable account of all the analyses that will follow

Sridhar's prescience transformed her into one of Britain's most prominent commentators once . . . In her new book, Preventable, Sridhar distils the lessons of the time

Those who have found Professor Devi Sridhar's expertise and calm advice invaluable since the arrival of Covid-19 will be glad to know that she has written Preventable

Guardian, 'Nonfiction to look out for in 2022'

Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at Edinburgh university, examines how the pandemic changed the world and how we might stop the next one happening

Financial Times, 'The books to read in 2022'

Devi Sridhar is Professor and Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh. She has served as a policy advisor for the WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Scottish, UK and German governments. Devi writes for the Guardian and regularly appears on broadcast media. This is her first book for a general readership.

Devi Sridhar

This is the standout book on how to live longer

Chris van Tulluken, author of Ultra-Processed People

‘One of the most important voices of reason of the COVID era’

How Not To Die (Too Soon) is a fascinating, challenging and thought provoking read. It completely changes the perspective on human health and who bears responsibility for protecting it. In an age when talk of the next pandemic seems ever-present, it also couldn’t be more timely

‘One of the most brilliant scientists in the world’

An inspiring call to action for those seeking to build a more just and healthy society for all

Grace Blakeley, author of Vulture Capitalism

In her thoughtful, incisive new book, Devi Sridhar delves into the potent forces shaping human health that often lie beyond the control of individuals. Writing with verve and clarity, she draws from scientific research as well as her own sound expertise to craft a compelling case for the policy changes that may help to prevent disease and untimely death

Dr. Sridhar writes a deeply accessible and actionable book about how to make ourselves, our communities and our futures healthier…I can’t recommend it highly enough

The Lies We’ve Been Sold and the Policies That Can Save Us

Have you ever questioned why, despite the avalanche of self-help books and optimization hacks, we remain embroiled in multiple global health crises? Populations worldwide are gaining life-shortening excess weight (even in poorer countries), and water contamination is rampant (even in richer countries). In such dire circumstances, a gratitude journal won’t help. 
 
The stark reality is that we’ve been sold a monumental lie. The obsession with individual health optimization has distracted us from the real game-changer: holding governments accountable for policies that can significantly extend our lifespans. How Not to Die (Too Soon) is a vital, transformative guide that shifts the focus from individual responsibility to societal accountability. It’s time to demand the changes that will save lives.

How Not to Die (Too Soon)

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

sectionTitle

isEnabled

anchor

anchorLabel

prhuk/featured-book

prhuk/praise-section

maxBooks

showViewMore

prhuk/books-section

hideAuthorAlert

formName

iterableDivision

iterableBrand

buttonText

description

heading

legalText

successHeading

successText

image

alignment

variation

prhuk/email-section

prhuk/series-section

prhuk/biography-section

prhuk/articles-section

prhuk-authors

The perfect gift? A Penguin Shop gift card

Devi Sridhar

Praise for How Not to Die (Too Soon)

This is the standout book on how to live longer

Drop everything and read this book

‘One of the most important voices of reason of the COVID era’

This is the standout book on how to live longer

Drop everything and read this book

‘One of the most important voices of reason of the COVID era’

This is the standout book on how to live longer

Drop everything and read this book

‘One of the most important voices of reason of the COVID era’

Books by Devi Sridhar

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter