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The Great Influenza

The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
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( 42,147 ratings, 5,091 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Great Influenza by John M Barry is a compelling exploration of the 1918 influenza pandemic, blending scientific inquiry with historical narrative to uncover the struggles and triumphs of those combating the world's deadliest disease outbreak. The book examines the pandemic’s profound impact on society, the breakthroughs in medical science, and the courageous efforts of the doctors and researchers who endeavoured to save lives against overwhelming odds. This historical account provides insight into both the human spirit and the evolution of medical science during a crisis.
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you are fascinated by historical pandemics and how they parallel modern events. It provides an in-depth examination of the 1918 influenza pandemic, exploring the intertwining of science, medicine, and human resilience. With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, it's a compelling read for those interested in medical history and societal impacts.

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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

In 1918, the world faced the deadliest pandemic in human history. What can the story of the so-called Spanish Flu teach us about the fight against present-day crises, and how to prepare for future outbreaks?

At the height of WWI, history's most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It killed more people in twenty-four months than AIDS killed in twenty-four years, more in a year than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision of science and epidemic disease.

Magisterial in its breadth of perspective and depth of research, The Great Influenza is ultimately a tale of triumph amid tragedy, which provides us with a precise and sobering model as we confront the aftermath of Covid-19 and future pandemics looming on the horizon.

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?

John M. Barry's The Great Influenza is highly acclaimed for its thorough examination of the 1918 flu pandemic. Critics praise its comprehensive narrative, describing it as the most detailed and panoramic history of the event. The book is lauded for its intelligent treatment of the subject, being both a masterful narrative and an engaging morality tale, with reviewers highlighting its timely relevance and spellbinding portrayal of the pandemic's enormity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241991565

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 396g

Pages: 544

About the Author

John M. Barry is the author of four previous books- Rising Tide- The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed Amer-ica; Power Plays- Politics, Football, and Other Blood Sports; The Transformed Cell- Unlocking the Mysteries of Cancer (co-written with Steven Rosenberg); and The Ambition and the Power- A True Story of Washington. He lives in New Orleans and Wash-ington, D.C.

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