The Premonition: A Pandemic Story

The Premonition: A Pandemic Story – Michael Lewis

When the coronavirus pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, the country, despite its wealth and expertise, was in many ways unprepared. In The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, bestselling author Michael Lewis tells the story of a small group of individuals who saw the danger coming and tried to sound the alarm.

Lewis introduces a cast of remarkable characters, including Charity Dean, a local public health officer in California with a fierce determination to protect her community; a group of doctors and scientists informally known as the Wolverines, who had worked on pandemic planning years earlier; and a teenage science fair project that helped inspire new thinking about social distancing. He also explores the work of researchers who developed tools to track and sequence the virus.

Through their stories, Lewis examines why institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struggled to respond effectively, and how bureaucracy, caution and a lack of coordination hampered the national response. At the same time, he celebrates the courage, ingenuity and persistence of people who tried to make a difference.

Written with Lewis’s characteristic narrative flair, humor and eye for compelling characters, the book reads like a thriller while raising serious questions about preparedness and leadership.

The Premonition is a gripping read for anyone interested in public health, science, government and the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.