Breathless is the story of the scientific quest to decipher, control and fight Covid-19.

Breathless traces SARS-CoV-2’s fierce journey through the human population as seen by the scientists who study its origin, ever-changing nature and capacity to kill. It shows how strange viruses emerge as we disrupt wild ecosystems – sometimes causing global catastrophe – and suggests this coronavirus could be a ‘forever virus’ that’s destined to bedevil us endlessly.

Quammen also explains that experts saw this pandemic coming; that scientists warned ‘the next big one’ would be caused by a changeable new virus, but were ignored for political or economic reasons; and that while the origins of this virus may not be known for years, some suppositions are compelling and others can be dismissed.

Breathless takes us inside the frantic international effort to control SARS-CoV-2 as if peering over the shoulders of the brilliant scientists who led the chase.