Today's Read Contributor John Green, the acclaimed author behind beloved novels such as The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska, has made a profound impact with his latest work, Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection. Released on March 18, 2025, the nonfiction book swiftly climbed to the top of The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, earning praise for its powerful exploration of one of the world’s oldest yet still devastating diseases.
A Historical and Personal Deep Dive
In Everything Is Tuberculosis, Green unpacks the complex legacy of tuberculosis (TB), a disease that, despite being preventable and treatable, continues to claim over a million lives each year. The book presents a compelling blend of medical history, personal narrative, and moral inquiry. Green examines how poverty, systemic neglect, and political inaction — not just bacterial transmission — are the root causes of TB’s persistence.
What makes the book particularly resonant is Green’s use of storytelling to illustrate the lived experiences of those affected by TB. Drawing from historical accounts, global case studies, and interviews, he humanizes the statistics and brings readers into the daily realities of a public health crisis too often ignored in wealthier nations.
From Author to Advocate
Green’s interest in global health is not new. Over the past few years, he has evolved from author to vocal advocate, leveraging his wide-reaching platform to bring attention to critical health issues. Through the philanthropic organization Partners in Health, Green has helped raise over $35 million, funding projects such as reducing maternal mortality in Sierra Leone and expanding TB treatment infrastructure in resource-limited areas.
More recently, Green has targeted the pharmaceutical industry. In an online campaign that gained viral traction, he called on drug manufacturers to lower the cost of tuberculosis medication and improve access in low-income countries. His efforts prompted policy discussions at the World Health Organization and led to increased scrutiny of drug pricing practices, particularly for life-saving treatments that remain financially out of reach for much of the global population.
“I wanted to write a book that doesn’t just inform, but calls people to act,” Green said during a promotional interview. “Tuberculosis is not just a disease; it’s a mirror reflecting our global priorities — and the reflection is not flattering.”
National Impact and Critical Reception
Since its release, Everything Is Tuberculosis has become more than a book — it’s a catalyst for national dialogue. Major outlets such as The Washington Post and Vox have published op-eds and think pieces inspired by the book, analyzing the intersections of health, inequality, and accountability. Educators, health professionals, and policy advocates have praised the book’s clarity, emotional depth, and urgency.
Critics have noted that Green’s approachable style — honed over years writing for young adult audiences — makes dense topics accessible to a broad readership. By combining sharp historical insight with narrative empathy, he manages to engage readers who might otherwise shy away from nonfiction works on global health.
“This is not just a book for policy wonks or public health experts,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s a book for anyone who wants to understand how history, economics, and ethics shape who gets to live and who doesn’t.”
A Broader Call to Action
Green’s book arrives at a critical juncture. Although tuberculosis is often considered a disease of the past, it remains a leading infectious killer worldwide — especially in regions plagued by poverty, conflict, and underfunded healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, diverting resources and attention from TB control programs and reversing years of progress.
Everything Is Tuberculosis underscores the urgency of renewed investment and political will. Green argues that ending TB is not a scientific challenge but a moral one. Treatments exist. The knowledge exists. What’s lacking, he says, is commitment.
As the book continues to spark conversation and action, it seems clear that Green’s voice will remain an influential one in the global health arena. He has not only chronicled a disease’s history but also challenged his readers — and leaders — to change its future.April 1, 2025 10:00 PM
