There are very few sources of accessible, reliable information that can help the educated lay reader understand the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and immediacy of its meaning for global survival. Specifically, there is very little non-technical material available on the raging AIDS crisis in Africa. Susan Hunter illuminates the history and social dynamics of the AIDS pandemic through focusing on Africa. She combines personal stories from her 20 years of work in Africa, analysis of the raging debates on the topic (Mbeki's continued assertions that HIV does not cause AIDS), and discussion of the failures and successes achieved by global health organizations working in Africa with more sweeping discussion of the nature of epidemics and their affects on world history and our shared future. Hunter has been an insider in the major world health organizations and has worked both with the UN, American government and several African countries to attempt to understand and contain the AIDS pandemic.