Famous People and the Germs that Harmed Them ties together history, culture, science, medicine and famous people and looks at each of them through the lens of infectious disease. As of this writing, the deadly COVID-19 virus has infected close to 50 million people worldwide, leaving a wake of uncertainty as it continues to unleash its power. History is rich with examples of infections like COVID-19, and because they all are unique, we are still learning the most effect ways to defend against them. As an Infectious Disease specialist for the past three decades, I have had a front-row seat to countless wretched diseases and have witnessed the misery they impart on their victims. They are foreign invaders which assault the human body by many mechanisms. In my practice, I have seen the extent of the damage these germs and their poisons cause to people daily, and famous people are not immune. What do King Tut, Jack Nicklaus, William Shakespeare, Helen Keller, Anne Frank and Abraham Lincoln all have in common? They were all sickened by a serious infection. As you read through this book, you will be stunned by the power of invisible microorganisms and how they have inflicted pain and death throughout history. Infectious diseases do not discriminate; they can inhabit one person and skip over another for no apparent reason. Many famous people in our history have succumbed to an infectious disease, from American presidents, gangsters, movie stars, professional athletes, military leaders, and world explorers, to composers and rock band icons. This book is for people who want to gain insight into the world of infectious diseases and achieve a better understanding of the notion that "bugs rule, and far too often, take no prisoners".