The Empress and the English Doctor

Name: The Empress and the English Doctor
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9780861545186
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

How Catherine the Great defied a deadly virus

By Lucy Ward

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4.04

( 253 ratings, 28 reviews)

Summary

The Empress and the English Doctor by Lucy Ward explores the intriguing relationship between Russian Empress Catherine the Great and her Scottish physician, Dr. Thomas Dimsdale. Set amidst the backdrop of the 18th century, the book delves into the duo's unprecedented plan to perform a smallpox inoculation on the empress, a medical and political gamble that could alter history. It’s a captivating story of ambition, courage, and the intersection of science and royal power.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$27⁹⁹

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The Empress and the English Doctor

$27⁹⁹

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?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by historical figures and medical history, as it delves into the intriguing relationship between an empress and an English doctor. Exploring themes of diplomacy, power, and science in the 18th century, it offers a rich narrative that brings history to life with vivid detail.

The Empress and the English Doctor

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

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: 0g

Pages: 352

Collections

Biography & Memoir Education & Reference European History History & Military Lucy Ward Non-Fiction Political Biographies Russian & Soviet History

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.