This excellent well-researched book covers the rise of modern medicine in America, the state of the home front during America's surge to World War I, and the path of influenza through it all. It's a wonderful history of the early 1900s that I can highly recommend, and there's not too much virology, either, if you're worried about that. There is enough, of course, to emphasize that the next great flu is coming and we are unprepared. (Wonderful news, no?)

Did you know: The regular old influenza that hits every year kills more people than AIDS - around 36,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. The influenza pandemic in 1918-1919 killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years.

Mr. Barry brought up an interesting question. Should the 1918 influenza virus genetic code be published? It would, of course, help scientists around the world develop potential vaccines and even better medications. It could also give sophisticated terrorists another powerful weapon. I didn't try to find out if it's been published yet.

There are dangers to reading this book on an airplane in December, as I did, listening to people all over the plane cough and sneeze their germs into the air. I'm not sure I'd recommend that plan.

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Fascinating. I've read that this is the book to read if one wants to know what could happen with avian flu. Very scary!!

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This book was informative, but a bit over my head. Interesting read.

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Generally good information but he jumps around a lot and I think if organized differently I would remember all the names and places better.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book despite its scary implications.

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A compelling account of the people and the events of this catastrophic epidemic

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Extensively researched and thoughtful examination into a scourge that remains something of a mystery even today. Barry shows how the responses (or in some cases, lack thereof) by political leaders, scientists, military leaders, and even blueblood society leaders altered the course of the pandemic.

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Not only is this about the devastating influenza outbreak, it's an excellent introduction to the history of germ theory and the development of the scientific method in the early 1900s. It's striking how little we knew back then and how relatively quickly we learned. Those false starts and blind alleys that the pioneers in labs struggle with are full of drama and tragedy. The author's prose can turn a little purple on occasion, but it's still a fascinating work.

If you have a choice between this and "Flu : The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic" by Gina Kolata, skip Kolata's book. This is the one to read.

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