The Rules of Contagion (Hardback)
Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop
Buy from
The new science of contagion, and the surprising ways it shapes our lives and behaviour
An Observer Book of the Year
A Times Science Book of the Year
A New Statesman Book of the Year
A Financial Times Science Book of the Year
'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times
A deadly virus suddenly explodes into the population. A political movement gathers pace, and then quickly vanishes. An idea takes off like wildfire, changing our world forever. We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed.
To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next.
Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true.
The Rules of Contagion (Ebook)
Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop
Buy from
The bestselling - and hugely timely - guide to the science of contagion, revised and updated to address Covid-19
An Observer Book of the Year
A Times Science Book of the Year
A New Statesman Book of the Year
A Financial Times Science Book of the Year
'Astonishingly bold' Daily Mail
'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times
We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next.
Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true.
Now revised and updated with content on Covid-19.
The Rules of Contagion (Audiobook)
Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop
Buy from
The new science of contagion, and the surprising ways it shapes our lives and behaviour
An Observer Book of the Year
A Times Science Book of the Year
A New Statesman Book of the Year
A Financial Times Science Book of the Year
'It is hard to imagine a more timely book … much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times
A deadly virus suddenly explodes into the population. A political movement gathers pace, and then quickly vanishes. An idea takes off like wildfire, changing our world forever. We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks – of disease, of misinformation, even of violence – that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed.
To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next.
Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories – and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true.
The Rules of Contagion (Paperback)
Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop
Buy from
The new science of contagion, and the surprising ways it shapes our lives and behaviour
'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times
'Brilliant and authoritative' - Alex Bellos, author of Alex's Adventures in Numberland
A deadly virus suddenly explodes into the population. A political movement gathers pace, and then quickly vanishes. An idea takes off like wildfire, changing our world forever. We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next.
Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true.
The Rules of Contagion (Paperback)
Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop
Buy from
The bestselling - and hugely timely - guide to the science of contagion, revised and updated to address Covid-19
An Observer Book of the Year
A Times Science Book of the Year
A New Statesman Book of the Year
A Financial Times Science Book of the Year
'Astonishingly bold' Daily Mail
'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times
We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next.
Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true.
Now revised and updated with content on Covid-19.
Reviews for The Rules of Contagion
Daily Mail
Financial Times
Alex Bellos, author Alex's Adventures in Numberland
New Statesman
The Times
Hannah Fry Guardian
Sunday Times
Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Irish Independent
Laura Spinney Guardian
Prospect Magazine
Economist
Lancet
Spectator
Kirkus
Anjana Ahuja New Statesman
Gaia Vince, winner of the Royal Society Prize and author of Adventures in the Anthropocene Observer
Adam Kucharski
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