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The Empress and the English Doctor
How Catherine the Great defied a deadly virus
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The Empress and the English Doctor
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
The astonishing true story of how Catherine the Great joined forces with a Quaker doctor from Essex to spearhead a groundbreaking public health campaign
The astonishing true story of how Catherine the Great joined forces with a Quaker doctor from Essex to spearhead a groundbreaking public health campaign
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
The Empress and the English Doctor by Lucy Ward
A Times Best Book of 2022 so far
Shortlisted for the Pushkin House Book Prize 2022
Sparkling history…with a fairytale atmosphere of sleigh rides, royal palaces and heroic risk-taking — The Times
A killer virus…an all-powerful Empress…an encounter cloaked in secrecy…the astonishing true story.
Within living memory, smallpox was a dreaded disease. Over human history, it has killed untold millions. Back in the eighteenth century, as epidemics swept Europe, the first rumours emerged of an effective treatment: a mysterious method called inoculation.
But a key problem remained: convincing people to accept the preventative remedy, the forerunner of vaccination. Arguments raged over risks and benefits, and public resistance ran high. As smallpox ravaged her empire and threatened her court, Catherine the Great took the momentous decision to summon the Quaker physician Thomas Dimsdale to St Petersburg to carry out a secret mission that would transform both their lives. Lucy Ward expertly unveils the extraordinary story of Enlightenment ideals, female leadership, and the fight to promote science over superstition.
A rich and wonderfully urgent work of history — Tristram Hunt
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Empress and the English Doctor has received acclaim for its engaging and thorough exploration of historical events related to smallpox inoculation. Reviewers appreciate its blend of history and narrative, highlighting the relationship between Catherine the Great and English doctor Thomas Dimsdale. The book is described as timely and enlightening, with modern parallels drawn between its historical lessons and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Critics praise Lucy Ward's meticulous research and storytelling, with some noting its thriller-like pace and insightful examination of female leadership and scientific advancements.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780861545186
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 16 February 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Lucy Ward is a writer and former journalist for the Guardian and Independent. As a Westminster Lobby correspondent, she campaigned for greater women’s representation. From 2010–12, she lived with her family in Moscow, renewing her interest in Russian history. After growing up in Manchester, she studied Early and Middle English at Balliol College, Oxford. She now lives in Essex.
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