Spanish flu, bubonic plague, and cholera - throughout history, epidemics have brought suffering and death to the affected populations. In 19th century Europe, mortality rates even soared higher than during the world wars of the 20th century. These experiences have left a deep imprint on our cultural memory. But where do these plagues come from, when do they occur, and what determines their course and end? The question of who becomes ill, who survives, or who dies is not merely a medical one, but always a social one as well. It is closely linked to the respective historical and cultural living conditions, as well as geographical and climatic factors. In his history of the great plagues in modern Europe, Manfred Vasold illuminates the variety of factors that influence the spread of diseases.