pickThis book is a follow up to “Spillover” and it focuses specifically on the story of HIV. It‘s genesis (coming from SIV), when / where / how it entered the human population (~1908, Western Cameroon, and, likely, the Cut Hunter hypothesis), and how it went from a local disease to a global pandemic. It‘s a very informative read.
pickQuammen slays myth while offering a probable narrative for the origins of AIDS in humans as the result of the spillover of SIV (HIV) from non-human apes into the human population. Him writing is clear, concise, and he makes every effort to guide readers through the phylogeny and microbiology minutiae to the “AH-HA!” moments. At only 139 pages it is easily tackled and serves as either a great prequel OR sequel to Quammen‘s Spillover.
The Chimp and the River: How AIDS Emerged from an African Forest | 
