An inspiring story of scientific endeavour and human bravery, "The Plague Race" is the story of one brave scientist who made an amazing discovery made in Hong Kong 100 years ago -- during an outbreak of the plague that threatened to decimate the island and, from there, the world. A tense and frightening race was run in appalling conditions by two rival scientists: Alexandre Yersin - rigorous, solitary, cerebral - and the suave Kitasako, unscrupulous, enigmatic, careless. Spiced with anecdotes, facts and chilling reconstructions, this book is an enthralling work of narrative history. And Marriott's investigations into plague in the modern world bring some disturbing facts to light . . . 'Beautifully written . . . Marriott's discourse encompasses empire, science and discovery as well as prejudice . . . The Plague Race is part history, part thesis, part thriller. As an investigation, it is all-entrancing' Observer