Everything Is Tuberculosis

Bookseller recommendation

“This is the biography of a disease, and so much more: the compelling story of a young tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone, an exploration of how culture and health intersect, a grappling with how colonialism and racism impact health care systems, and a collection of insights into the author’s own relationship to illness. Part biography, part memoir, but most of all a critical history lesson — this is a gorgeous and powerful book that firmly establishes John Green as one of today’s great nonfiction storytellers. Highly recommended even if (or perhaps ESPECIALLY if) you don’t think you care about tuberculosis.”

— Kara • Bonfire Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“If you read one book this year, it should be this one. A powerful, deeply human story that blends history, science, and advocacy, shedding light on the world’s deadliest disease and the inequalities that sustain it, told through the story of Henry, a young patient in Sierra Leone. ”

— Erica • Author's Note

Bookseller recommendation

“John Green convinced me: everything really IS tuberculosis! This book is an excellent examination of the inequities in global healthcare through the lens of one disease, plus Green intersperses his stories of people throughout, demonstrating the most important thesis in the book: people are more than just disease statistics and the cost of its treatment. It’s extremely readable narrative nonfiction and a great pick for teens and adults who want or need to broaden their perspectives. ”

— Betsy • Booked

Bookseller recommendation

“Fascinating. And heartbreaking. And infuriating.”

— Kalan • The Book Store

Bookseller recommendation

“An incredibly important story given our political climate. This book highlights the triumph of humanity and the failures of humans.”

— Sarah • Parthenon Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Everything Is Tuberculosis is an emotional and compelling addition to the long list of remarkable work that John Green has accomplished. Brilliant.”

— Alyssa • Sidetrack Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Probably the most important book you’ll read this year. The propulsive history of how and why we still let people die of a disease we know we how to cure, told in Green’s humane style. I don’t know if everything is TB but the history of TB is everything: science, superstition, racism, class, gender, colonialism, and capitalism. Deeply informative and strangely encouraging — that word will mean more to you when you listen — if you can stick through the tears. ”

— Perin • Brain Lair Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This is John Green doing what he does best-- making big topics accessible and personal. Start listening for the fun facts (What does tuberculosis have to do with the invention of the cowboy hat?) and stay for the moving story of Green's friendship with Henry, a tuberculosis patient in Sierra Leone.”

— Emily • The Homer Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“While the title Everything is Tuberculosis at first seems like hyperbole, the more you read John Green’s part personal narrative, part history on the widespread, insidious global footprint of tuberculosis, the more it becomes apparent that everything does come back in some way to tuberculosis. Everything is Tuberculosis is not simply a medical history, but a wide-reaching inquiry into the global, historical, and of course personal impact of the disease. Green’s work will hopefully inspire many future tuberculosis activists as he reminds us all of the value of viewing people not as statistics but rather as people deserving of love, of care, and of a future. ”

— Mikey • Avid Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“John Green does it again. The prolific storyteller brings his unique writing abilities into the world of non-fiction. Tuberculosis is Green's passion project, and he will quickly make it your passion project as well.”

— Karlie • Novel Bay Booksellers

Bookseller recommendation

“The mind of this man!!! The level of detail in facts, history and individual stories was achieved to perfection. I learned so much, and I’m shocked by how little I knew. The balance of information and storytelling is done in a way that is easily digestible and was transformative to my perspectives on the world. I am in awe of the light this book shines on so much injustice (which is only getting worse by the day) while also providing empathy, hope and a voice to the living and the deceased. This is absolutely required reading, and the type of book that a history class for any age would benefit from (and most of our politicians and lobbyists could use the education). So well done. ”

— Amy • Book Ends

Bookseller recommendation

“As a lifelong John Green enjoyer, this book is no exception. If you enjoyed his Anthropocene Reviewed, this is of that same vein with a more detailed approach to a topic he is extremely interested in. It’s no secret Green cares about his writing and what he learns through that process, and this is no exception. With personal anecdotes, historical context, social history, and cultural commentary, Green provides a wonderful overview of such a particular topic. ”

— Sarah • Lemuria Books