# From Thomas Mann to John Green, how authors and books shape our understanding of TB

## TL;DR

This editorial explores how books and authors have shaped our understanding of tuberculosis (TB) through historical, fictional, and personal narratives.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the cultural and social impact of TB through literature, emphasizing its ongoing connection to inequality.

## Key findings

- TB literature reveals the disease's historical and ongoing ties to racism and poverty.
- Books have played a key role in shaping public understanding of TB's social and human dimensions.
- A comprehensive narrative on ending TB has not yet been written.

## Abstract

Over the centuries, from Thomas Mann to John Green, many authors have attempted to tell the story of TB, or stories of people with TB, via books, poems, art, and films. Books, in particular, have helped us better understand the disease, its history, and its impact on people. This Editorial is a celebration of a selection of books and authors who have made important contributions, broadly grouped under four categories: historical; fiction; personal narratives; contemporary. Collectively, these books underscore the fact that TB has always thrived on racism, prejudice, poverty, and injustice, and continues to do so, even today. The book about the end of TB, sadly, is yet to be written.