This sounds like an interesting read. I’m going to add it to my list. Were you convinced by the author’s argument? It’s fascinating to think that large-scale plagues can impact both ecological and socio-economic systems on a global scale.

Have you read Andrew Nikiforuk’s recent book about the interactions between human and ecological systems and biological invaders (e.g., disease, invasive species)?
It’s called ‘Pandemonium: Bird Flu, Mad Cow Disease, and Other Biological Plagues of the 21st Century’. . . If you’re interested I posted a review of it on my blog last friday (http://whatsyourecotype.blogspot.com/2007/07/on-road-to-pandemonium-review-of-andrew.html).

Cheers.