Susan Wise Bauer’s book, however, argues that such behaviour is not a new phenomenon but something that we have inherited from our predecessors. The book can be read as a historical survey that examines the deep connection between physical illness and the evolution of human culture over centuries. While we often view illness as a distant or temporary interruption, she argues that it is actually the "most intimate expression of our vexed relationship with reality”. Placing illness at the heart of our story, she illuminates how we explain, avoid, and fight back against disease define our very humanity. The Great Shadow also highlights a pivotal shift in human history wherein medicine began to diverge from mystery, moving from "magic" to "technique”.

Source: The Telegraph March 13, 2026 05:00 UTC