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Record title for Granta

05.12.07 Benedicte Page

Granta has paid what it says is close to being its highest sum for The Wisdom of Whores by epidemiologist Elizabeth Pisani, to be published in May (h/b, £17.99).

The book takes a frank look at some of the myths surrounding HIV and the reality of the disease as experienced by Pisani in her work over the course of a decade for UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation and Family Health International, in the field of HIV prevention.

Science is enlived with "ribald tales from the frontline of sex and drugs" as Pisani relates how in spite of a global expenditure of around $10bn a year and knowledge of how to halt the virus, taxpayers' money continues to be squandered on "feel-good" programmes that make no difference.

David Graham, managing director at Granta said that the book arrived at the publisher's office as a proposal in April and that "we did manage to beat off slightly higher offers".

Pisani studied classical Chinese at Oxford and worked as a foreign correspondent for Reuters and the Economist, before taking a PhD in epidemiology.

UK rights were sold by Oxford-based agent Felicity Bryan.

Benedicte Page Rights deal Granta

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