We all tried to block it out, but still hearken back to the dark days when a virulent zoonotic virus made the leap to humans two continents away.  Contact tracers sniffed at the vapor trails of interconnected flights harboring known infected.  A high percentage of said infected became fatalities — healthcare workers included.  The crushing burden fell upon the longstanding director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).  As was his custom with every previous viral outbreak, he was afforded a maximum of four hours’ daily sleep.   You remember, of course, the outbreak I’m describing…Ebola. It wasn’t his first epidemic, nor would it be his last.

On Call is the newly-released bio of Tony Fauci, the MD who served seven presidents through smallpox, anthrax, HIV and COVID.  His raspy Brooklyn accent was a source of guidance and comfort while refrigerated morgue trucks hummed outside packed hospitals in 2020.   At the tender age of 79, he’d gone hoarse from being the voice of reason.  And as an octogenarian, he has finally found time to retire and reflect.

A life of public service wasn’t always the destiny of the grandson of Italian immigrants.  Initially, the Dodger fan had athletic aspirations.  However at 5′ 7″, his top grades were indicative of a different vocational path.  From med school onward, it was grounded in his patient-centered approach to compassionate care.  On Call spans that entire journey.  From the stickball yards to stem cell therapy, he handled the asinine slander of his childlike accusers with the same hallmark professional tone.  Such is the voice of this brand new bestseller.