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The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History
The American Plague The Untold Story of Yellow Fever the Epidemic that Shaped Our History
Author: Molly Caldwell Crosby
In this account, a journalist traces the course of yellow fever, stopping in 1878 Memphis to "vividly [evoke] the Faulkner-meets-'Dawn of the Dead' horrors," -- and moving on to today's strain of the killer virus. — Over the course of history, yellow fever has paralyzed governments, halted commerce, quarantined cities, moved...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780425217757
ISBN-10: 0425217752
Publication Date: 9/4/2007
Pages: 384
Edition: Reprint
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 32

4 stars, based on 32 ratings
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

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.
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.
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!
mscottcgp avatar reviewed The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History on + 231 more book reviews
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.
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!
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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.
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!


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