Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgement -- Dedicatio n-- About the author -- Glossary -- 1. Introduction and book overview -- 2. Personal and professional background -- 3. The most probable origin and initial global spread of HIV -- 4. A basic primer on HIV infections and AIDS cases (HIV/AIDS) -- 5. HIV epidemiology and transmission dynamics -- Appendix 1 -- Appendix 2 -- 6. Understanding the HIV/AIDS numbers -- Appendix -- 7. How credible are HIV/AIDS estimates? -- 8. HIV/AIDS prevention -- 9. Dispelling "glorious" HIV/AIDS myths and misconceptions -- 10. The most probable past, present, and future of the AIDS pandemic -- 11. The international response to the AIDS pandemic -- Index.