Insects are seldom mentioned when we discuss human history, yet they significantly shaped today's societies. In this book, entomologists Robert N. Wiedenmann and J. Ray Fisher take readers through the unique stories of five insects that have shaped history: silk moths, rat fleas, lice, fever mosquitos, and honey bees. The impact of insects on historical events seems a sliver of a topic, but the authors reveal an expansive story of broad relevance. The five selected insects may be widely known, but the intricacies of their stories and their extensive and lasting impacts will amaze you, whether entomologist, environmentalist, historian, or general reader. Examples range from the influence of insects on trade and intersecting cultures, to modern scientific detective work and its incredible nuances in understanding medieval plague epidemics. This book is readable and will hold your interest.