Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) - reviewed on 10/11/2011 + 200 more book reviews

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.

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