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The Premonition: A Pandemic Story Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 18,387 ratings

New York Times Bestseller



For those who could read between the lines, the censored news out of China was terrifying. But the president insisted there was nothing to worry about.


Fortunately, we are still a nation of skeptics. Fortunately, there are those among us who study pandemics and are willing to look unflinchingly at worst-case scenarios. Michael Lewis’s taut and brilliant nonfiction thriller pits a band of medical visionaries against the wall of ignorance that was the official response of the Trump administration to the outbreak of COVID-19.


The characters you will meet in these pages are as fascinating as they are unexpected. A thirteen-year-old girl’s science project on transmission of an airborne pathogen develops into a very grown-up model of disease control. A local public-health officer uses her worm’s-eye view to see what the CDC misses, and reveals great truths about American society. A secret team of dissenting doctors, nicknamed the Wolverines, has everything necessary to fight the pandemic: brilliant backgrounds, world-class labs, prior experience with the pandemic scares of bird flu and swine flu…everything, that is, except official permission to implement their work.


Michael Lewis is not shy about calling these people heroes for their refusal to follow directives that they know to be based on misinformation and bad science. Even the internet, as crucial as it is to their exchange of ideas, poses a risk to them. They never know for sure who else might be listening in.


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From the Publisher

An Amazon Best Book of 2021

Editorial Reviews

Review

An urgent, highly readable contribution to the literature of what might be called the politics of disease.-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

Lewis brings a welcome gimlet eye to the Trump era... the lessons of the "The Premonition" apply to more than just the C.D.C. -- they tell us why government bureaucracies fail.--Nick Confessore "New York Times Book Review"

From the Back Cover

Praise for Michael Lewis

I would read an 800-page history of the stapler if he wrote it.
-- John Williams, New York Times Book Review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08V91YY8R
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (May 4, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 4, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 319 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 18,387 ratings

About the author

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Michael Lewis
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Michael Lewis, the best-selling author of The Undoing Project, Liar's Poker, Flash Boys, Moneyball, The Blind Side, Home Game and The Big Short, among other works, lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife, Tabitha Soren, and their three children.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
18,387 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. It provides interesting insights into the subject matter and human drama. The compelling storyline and well-crafted writing style are praised. Readers appreciate the detailed character development and real heroes. However, some feel the book exposes the shortcomings of the government and health system.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

432 customers mention "Readability"418 positive14 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a good non-technical read on an important topic. The book is described as an excellent companion to the author's recent novel, "The Fifth Risk".

"...for the rest of us in the front lines or just behind them, this book is must reading!" Read more

"...His reputation is excellent / solid / terrific. Having responded in the field to many human and animal medical pandemics and epidemics for 50..." Read more

"...This book is incredibly sad and incredibly important, despite the difficult story it tells. Worth reading even years after the main events." Read more

"...This is the best book I've read on the subject so far....a real page turner." Read more

412 customers mention "Insight"386 positive26 negative

Customers find the book provides insightful information on how the U.S. responds to pandemics. They appreciate its clear writing and interesting approach. Readers also mention that the author is an outsider in the Trump administration. The book provides a new perspective on what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

"...also explains the technical complexities of viruses and pandemic exponential growth clearly and with mind searing memorable analogies for the lay..." Read more

"...Lewis handles public health and epidemiology, subjects that could be boring to the average reader, with an eye for both detail and the human side..." Read more

"...The Wolverines were an under the radar unit of dedicated, very smart, hard working group of about 5 medical specialists...." Read more

"...Matthew Pottinger is particularly intriguing as he was an outsider in the Trump White House who used his journalistic contacts to understand that..." Read more

288 customers mention "Storytelling"262 positive26 negative

Customers find the book's storytelling compelling and engaging. They appreciate the well-written multiple storylines that connect nicely. The book moves along like a thrilling thriller, with a central theme that connects the stories. Readers mention it's a gripping tale of medical, scientific, and public health patriots.

"...It is the story of a band of medical, scientific, and public health patriots nicknamed “The Wolverines”, who tried to first stop the pandemic and..." Read more

"...: a focus upon public health issues that is both informative and entertaining." Read more

"...were an under the radar unit of dedicated, very smart, hard working group of about 5 medical specialists.Their eclectic demeanor was striking!..." Read more

"This is a real historical record of what happened with this Coronavirus and why Lewis thought it happened the way it did up to 2021...." Read more

242 customers mention "Writing quality"226 positive16 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They say it's readable and provides a clear account of COVID. The book is described as spellbinding from start to finish, providing a coherent background to all the bits and pieces they had previously read.

"...His writing is exquisite: fast paced, suspenseful, and pungent...." Read more

"...themes that are clearly brought out here in a personable and readable fashion...." Read more

"...This author is amazing!" Read more

"...It provided coherent background to all the bits and pieces I coddled together from watching the news or reading science articles about the..." Read more

84 customers mention "Character development"80 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They appreciate the detailed backgrounds of several key characters, including real heroes. The book is described as an entertaining and personality-driven read that introduces fascinating and brilliant people.

"...some clear recurring themes that are clearly brought out here in a personable and readable fashion...." Read more

"...In the end, with such relatable characters and a good story to tell, and about such a recent polarizing event in the public conscious, this book is..." Read more

"...The ever-reliable Michael Lewis introduces us to weird, brilliant people who are blessed and cursed with the ability to see solutions where others ca..." Read more

"...There are some real heroes in America and we meet some in this book. 3...." Read more

53 customers mention "Pacing"36 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it fast-paced and suspenseful, like a novel. Others say it drags a bit toward the end after the excitement of the pandemic peak has passed.

"...His writing is exquisite: fast paced, suspenseful, and pungent...." Read more

"...It's relatively fast turn around also gives the reader the clearest insight into Lewis's techniques as an author and journalist, his curiosity with..." Read more

"...But here things seem a little bit rushed, somehow the glue that connects all the dots is not as strong...." Read more

"...public health measures, gather data to inform policy and overcome barriers to rapid action. “..." Read more

50 customers mention "Suspenseful ending"24 positive26 negative

Customers have different views on the book's ending. Some find it interesting and terrifying, describing the fear, loss, and sorrow felt by everyone in the country. Others describe it as tragic and unsatisfying, with a lack of closure.

"...In closing, it was a very sad, frightening journey. A MUST READ! Terrance" Read more

"...His writing is exquisite: fast paced, suspenseful, and pungent...." Read more

"...And the book seems to have been rushed to print and the ending seems a bit ragged, it does not display the same wonderful pacing and graceful..." Read more

"...as recounted by Michael Lewis, to be gut retching yet astonishing, infuriating yet inspiring, and overall, nothing less than spell binding...." Read more

61 customers mention "Governance"14 positive47 negative

Customers find the book a dispiriting look at the dysfunctional and inefficient governance in the United States. They highlight the shocking failures of the public health system and the incompetent managers, backstabbers, and inept system that led to the failed pandemic response. The book also highlights the inefficiency of the government and bureaucracies.

"...The botching of the first COVID-19 tests that set the US behind in tracking and tracing the spread of the virus...." Read more

"...Most still believe this even despite the dismal, tragic failure in handling COVID. Add denial to the superlatives...." Read more

"...The politicians are also terrible communicators, failing to tell us the full story, so we are left to wonder, "why are they doing that?"..." Read more

"Easy read, gripping,timely. Helped give some context for the failures of government in almost real time...." Read more

Great book 100% recommended!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Great book 100% recommended!!!
very good quality and great book I recommended 100%
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2021
    In this compelling non-fiction account of the run up and beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Lewis skillfully weaves a story without an ending ... yet. His writing is exquisite: fast paced, suspenseful, and pungent. It is the story of a band of medical, scientific, and public health patriots nicknamed “The Wolverines”, who tried to first stop the pandemic and then slow it when it could not be stopped. Reading it made me feel like I was in the movie, “Casablanca”, another powerful story with an unsure ending. Lewis draws rich profiles of these heroes as they struggle, fail, and often succeed against entrenched state and federal bureaucracies. He also explains the technical complexities of viruses and pandemic exponential growth clearly and with mind searing memorable analogies for the lay reader. Yet he also does what amounts to a forensic autopsy of the failure of governments to respond to a rapidly changing existential national and global threat. It is a bit like a half time analysis of a lethal football game. What will happen in the second half? This book gives hope of victory over the COVID-19 virus, but shows our vulnerability for future, possibly even more lethal pandemics. Those in Washington and State capitols who should read this book probably won’t, but for the rest of us in the front lines or just behind them, this book is must reading!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024
    Best retrospective look at the Covid pandemic and our government's inept response to it. Lewis handles public health and epidemiology, subjects that could be boring to the average reader, with an eye for both detail and the human side of the story.
    While Trump is inevitably identified as a key failure, Lewis offers accurate, documented criticism of the CDC and the entire political structure of our public health "system."
    The clear discussion of how a disease can spread exponentially is of particular value, as is the discussion of current data as a "snapshot of the past" and a predictor of the immediate future.
    This book is a rarity: a focus upon public health issues that is both informative and entertaining.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
    This is the first book by Michale Lewis that I have read. His reputation is excellent / solid / terrific.
    Having responded in the field to many human and animal medical pandemics and epidemics for 50+ years. I worked in the field for WHO for many years establishing Public Health office all over the world. I read this book with real enthusiasm. I have read Silent Invasion by Deborah Birx, and A Plague Upon Our House by Scott Atlas. I have also read Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health by Laurie Garrett. I have seen up close and personal the Global Public Health System and have read extensively on this subject matter.

    I was DISAPPOINTED that this book contained NO INDEX or REFERENCES as it would have been most helpful for the readership. A few helpful footnotes were thankfully included. For example, on page 250 it refers to the critically important Strategic National Stockpile ( SNS) where the Dept. of Human Health and Human Services stores a wide range of EMERGENCY medicines and supplies. The list of stored items is classified. A reference / footnote of some kind is definitely warranted here!

    In ALL of outbreaks that I have worked on, some organization like The Incident Command Structure ( ICS) was immediately stood up. The Forest Service initially stood up the ICS in the USA. The ICS, which has been around for many years, offers excellent expandable and collapsible command and control response. This is the first major step in Pandemic Response !

    I never read or saw anything about ICS in this book or any other Covid publication. And it was obvious that command and control during the Pandemic needed vast improvement. In the Pandemic / Epidemics I worked on the ICS mantra was : " STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE."

    Lewis paints a very gloomy but accurate picture of the USA fractured / confused / antiquated Public Health System and the disorganized Laboratory Response Network ( LRN ). I vividly recall last year I really got a very bad flu, my wife insisted I go to the ER. The RN tested me and I tested positive for Influenza A. The RN added that I was the 7th person that day that she had tested as positive and that the local Public Health Office really had no interest in the rapid up swing in cases. The public health system and the LRN have many dedicated people; real medical heroes who are totally committed to excellence but need proper AUTHENTICATION, funding and facilities. In my opinion, this will likely not happen in our Medical - Industrial Complex driven health care system.

    The USA is totally unprepared for the next pandemic which is just around the corner. I can only hope that responsible officials are monitoring and testing appropriately for Bird Flu as it slowly creeps into dairy herds, milk, cats, and humans.

    Lewis reported that when a much needed competent Covid Biohubs testing lab was stood up at UCSF, they needed start up supplies including enzymes. They reached out to a local company and placed an order for a million dollars worth of the stuff. Normally, when purchasing this amount of an enzyme you get a big discount but the company said NO DISCOUNT! They called New England Biolabs and placed the same order and immediately received a " 40% discount right now." The UCSF lab. director noted: some companies sought to exploit the national emergency; others sought to help. The lab director quickly figured out which company had a moral compass and those that were milking the system. As the government did with the vaccine, could some Executive order or Emergency Act been enacted to enhance economic stability. I was not at all surprised by our Super Capitalistic approach to health care, even during a major once in a life time Pandemic. One competent covid testing lab. could test thousands of samples a day and report results within 24 hours; in a pinch 3 hours. And this lab. offered free testing. Main line testing for uninsured and insured varied but when appropriate, varied between $ 100-190 per test. Big corporations , for profit labs, contractural agreements etc. SUPER CAPITALISM prevented this free , very qualified lab. from fully functioning. The Medical - Industrial Complex offers both advantages and disadvantages. This same lab. approached a major hospital with the free covid testing offer only to be turned down because the hospital computer system would be unable to do a no-cost transaction: it would show up as an error in the hospital computer system. Amazing if this is accurate, really startling. Supplies were critically needed, especially sterile nasal testing swabs, In desperation, one lab. turned to the SNS to obtain sterile swabs. No problem, 100,000 were on the way in 2 days. The delivery truck got lost and it was discovered that the truck was filled with non sterile Q-Tips. OMG! Impossible to believe, I am totally amazed that this took place. Another, independent VIP supporter of Covid testing offered to buy 5,000 sterile swabs and overnight to the lab. Upon arrival the lab. unpacked 5,000 eyelash brushes. Clearly these examples must be the EXTREME! OMG, I hope so.

    The many book sections on the CDC authenticating their purported incompetence and political , dysfunctional bewilderment is not shocking. Many years ago the Director came from the rank and file and then, under Reagan, the Office of the President appointed the CDC Director. Now that has recently changed, the CDC Director shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate as of Jan.20, 2025. Good luck CDC.

    Lewis cleverly weaves his complicated, sad Covid journey through the eyes of The Wolverines. The Wolverines were an under the radar unit of dedicated, very smart, hard working group of about 5 medical specialists.Their eclectic demeanor was striking! The book seems to paint them as the only ones in the country who knew what was going one: I am sure that was an overstatement or my misinterpretation. We had lots of outstanding folks ( heroes- think of all the ER staff, front line nurses, EMT, Paramedics, etc ) working on this pandemic. This eclectic group offered an interesting backgrounder / sounding board for the entire pandemic.
    In closing, it was a very sad, frightening journey.
    A MUST READ!
    Terrance
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2024
    If you're a layperson in the US and the pandemic left you confused, irritated and somewhat baffled, this book may be scary, but it will at least arm you with some information about the fact that nobody is coming to save us. Despite heroic efforts by some incredibly special and dedicated people, the US system is not really a system. And because of that, much like those planes were able to sneak through the defenses of myriad law enforcement and intelligence agencies on 9/11/01, so too will deadly pathogens and the American public will not come together spontaneously. This book is incredibly sad and incredibly important, despite the difficult story it tells. Worth reading even years after the main events.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Prairie Chicken
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening (and not in a good way)!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2023
    This book answers many questions. It does not leave the CDC in a good light, and it explains much about politics today. The only bright side is the brilliance and tenacity of some people fighting for the benefit of others.
  • Lusi Steiner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved everything about it!
    Reviewed in Germany on June 20, 2024
    Loved everything about it!
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book everyone needs to read
    Reviewed in India on April 13, 2024
    While the author tries to bring out the outstanding individuals who try their best despite the system to bring out positive outcomes, what comes across is the sad reality that our institutions aren't ready to deal with the challenges of the future..

    A book that will shed light on possibly how every aspect of government works and probably always will work because of the incentives built in that almost always are against the interests of the general public.
  • Michael Davison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Government, and why they cannot function in a crisis
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2021
    Michael Lewis has written the most interesting book showing how individuals who wish to do a public good with no interest in either politics or profits can be destroyed by the immovable monolith called Government and the buck passing, back watching people who make it fail. Whilst the pandemic may not have been stoppable, had the interventions described by the pandemic plan been implemented not only in the USA but the World, the death rate and misery would have been seriously reduced, for this the CDC, WHO and not only the US Government but all World Governments who took their lead from the CDC and WHO should hang their heads in shame. It would be unfair to single out Trump, but as the “Leader” of the Free World, had he shown one iota of intelligence, knowing and having access to the reports, he should have reacted more aggressively to get on top of the pandemic, but like Boris Johnson in the U.K., he dithered, he stalled, he played down the pandemic as nothing more than influenza on steroids - the World can only surmise the source of the virus, it certainly looks to have been created via Gain of Function research, but what the World is certain of - the failure to plan and take action has led to a death toll that is still rising, and not only because of C-19 but because medical services treating existing or new medical conditions have been diverted to treat C-19 patients causing a treatment backlog. Thank you Michael Lewis and all the brilliant people mentioned who tried and continue to try to get the message across - this book has been a revelation.
  • Loren
    5.0 out of 5 stars Full of insights, and surprisingly easy to read
    Reviewed in France on June 10, 2021
    Although this a book about the Covid pandemic, it reads like a well-written novel. Definitely. Worth reading.Lots of insights, from medicine to computer science to politics.

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