Shannon W. (soylagringaloca) reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on
Helpful Score: 3
This book is a great read. Molly Caldwell Crosby kept this from becoming a purely scientific book that was way over my head. I found it truly fascinating and easy to follow, never boring and making this epidemic so personal. She puts faces to the victims and scientists/doctors who studied this disease. I learned so much about our history and the brave men who put an end to a terrible disease.
Steven R. (rawl18) reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
interesting account of how yellow fever has plagued countries for centuries, how the disease is transmitted, how it was ultimately discovered, and why it is still feared. As an aside, an impressive biography of Walter Reed, the doctor who headed the commission on yellow fever.
ReadingMonster reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on
Helpful Score: 2
Fascinating!
I'm ashamed to admit that prior to reading this excellent book I had little, if any, knowledge about the history of plague on American soil. This was an engrossing tale and was supremely readable for those of us who aren't scientists. Not an easy feat for the author, because this topic could have either been extremely boring, or overly sensationalist.
"The American Plague" has the perfect balance of historical and scientific accuracy, with a dramatic flair that keeps the reader hooked. I recommend it!
I'm ashamed to admit that prior to reading this excellent book I had little, if any, knowledge about the history of plague on American soil. This was an engrossing tale and was supremely readable for those of us who aren't scientists. Not an easy feat for the author, because this topic could have either been extremely boring, or overly sensationalist.
"The American Plague" has the perfect balance of historical and scientific accuracy, with a dramatic flair that keeps the reader hooked. I recommend it!
Mary S. (mscottcgp) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great, very readable,book about the history of yellow fever in this country and how it shaped this country in so many ways. As you might expect,slavery played a major role in bringing yellow fever to America,but it was surprising that historians have placed the blame on yellow fever for bringing down the city of Memphis which had, in the 1870's, been one of the largest cities of the South at the time.
Catherine L. reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Incredible read!
Katie B. (wirenth) reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not as dry as some of the disease books I've read. When I think of catastrophic diseases, yellow fever just never comes to mind, but it had a huge impact on the United States back in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This book discussed the disease, its impact, and the struggle to discover how it was spread and how best to contain it. Very interesting.
Taryn C. (TarynC) -
Helpful Score: 1
fascinating account of Yellow Fever, its origins, the millions of lives it claimed and the way it was finally understood and fought by dedicated Medical scientists. I didnt know anything about Walter Reed other than a hospital being named for him, what a great history lesson!
Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fascinating non-fiction book about yellow fever that was as readable as a John Grisham thriller. The author uses science when needed, but doesn't drown us in it or lose our interest. We learn about how yellow fever impacted Memphis and then Cuba, in ways that have still left a mark on our cities, and then the author discusses very recent cases of yellow fever in America, as 21st century residents have forgotten the lessons of previous generations. I also found it fascinating to learn about some of the heroes of the yellow fever research, such as Dr. Walter Reed, the man for whom our country's military hospital in Baltimore was named. There are some necessary but gruesome details of the disease and its symptoms, so this book is not for the weak stomached. Several sections of photographs add to the readability of this story. Highly recommended.
Sarah W. (SwSe86) -
Helpful Score: 1
My sister has been trying to get me to read this book for a while. I hesitated as I have a hard time getting into technical books.
This story follows yellow fever though it's dark history with the medical community. It describes a terrible epidemic that cost many lives in Memphis, TN. It also shows the rigerous search for a cause and later a vaccine.
I should have read it sooner. SO very interesting. The technical parts were overshadowed by the captivating story. The book can be descriptive though, not for the squeamish. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I refuse to post it as I will probably read it over and over (totally unlike me!)
This story follows yellow fever though it's dark history with the medical community. It describes a terrible epidemic that cost many lives in Memphis, TN. It also shows the rigerous search for a cause and later a vaccine.
I should have read it sooner. SO very interesting. The technical parts were overshadowed by the captivating story. The book can be descriptive though, not for the squeamish. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I refuse to post it as I will probably read it over and over (totally unlike me!)
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Helpful Score: 1
As an entomologist who used to write and lecture about how insects affected history, I found this book to be of great value. It's not the only book about Yellow Fever in America, but it is one I recommend for others to read.
At least one review here offers some interesting trivia from the book. Another interesting item the book explains is why the responsibility for the medical supervision of our ports was taken away from cites and states and assumed by the national government. If this had occurred earlier, then maybe the city of Memphis would not have experienced such a devastating experience.
At least one review here offers some interesting trivia from the book. Another interesting item the book explains is why the responsibility for the medical supervision of our ports was taken away from cites and states and assumed by the national government. If this had occurred earlier, then maybe the city of Memphis would not have experienced such a devastating experience.
Donna W. (shooter38) reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 63 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book very much. We take for granted that we will not have to deal with anything so devastating as a yellow fever epidemic but the author points out that this could happen again. The book deals with Dr. Walter Reed and his colleagues who bravely studied the cause and transmission of the yellow fever virus. Relevant for today in light of H1N1 flu virus.
Catherine L. reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 65 more book reviews
Very interesting and easy to read. Makes you want to go out and cover yourself in netting and OFF!
