This illustrated series looks at famous disasters, either occurring naturally or as the result of human error. It explains the causes, narrates the events and evaluates the impact on peoples' lives. This volume discusses the Black Death, which broke out in 1347 and accounted for the death of one third of the the population of Europe. The author helps the young reader to understand its significance by looking at life before the plague and its effects both then and now. The book begins with Bishop of Winchester who foresaw the devastation that the plague would cause. From there the author looks at life in Europe in the years up to 1347 and how the harsh, unhygenic conditions made the outbreak of plague difficult to stop. He goes on to describe how the plague spread from eastern Asia to Europe and eventually to Britain. The effect of the plague on society and how it changed people's attitudes to authority, religion and medicine is then examined. In conclusion, the author looks at modern medical methods and shows how conditions have improved, but asks whether such a disaster could happen today.