$*$ The Great Influenza The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

"Man vs. Nature" may seem a bit dramatic as a summary statement for this book, but it fits because it is the theme which unifies all its seemingly divergent and tangential chapters.

The book naturally divides into two sub-plots: 1. "Nature" as the enemy: the description of the disease--the protean "it" which is the culprit virus--a bag of genetic code surrounded by an envelope with tentacles, endlessly morphing to escape all weapons and succeed in raiding the victim cell and rendering it a factory for the manufacture of new "its" which explode the host when their number reaches the thousands, its ravaging effects on the pitiful individual victim bleeding and gasping in barracks and hospitals, its effects on a global level--creating a landscape of death and nihilism, its unique features responsible for its daunting virulence, escaping detection in the face of a heroic host of tireless and brilliant scientists. This half of the plot is portrayed in those fascinating chapters described by reviewers as the "thriller" ones: The Tinderbox, "It Begins", "The Explosion" "The pestilence".

The second sub plot can be described as 2. "Man" as the warrior. How Men's greatest gifts as well as their defects were brought to bear on this scourge of Nature: This is covered in the chapters on the mobilization of scientists, philanthropists, hospitals, government leaders, and the leadership of physicians and enlightened combat officers, who finally succeeded in curbing the momentum of the military behemoth mobilizing toward the front, heedless of its responsibility in generating the frightening speed with which the disease marched across the nation. The chapters named "the Race", the tolling of the bell" and "Endgame" describe Man's role in this epic battle against nature.

Within this thematic focus, the rich substance and detail of this book's content is presented: the rise of academic medicine, the development of the scientific laboratory, the mobilization of legions of medical professionals who persevered in spite of the mortal risks, the galvanizing of communities to press for political and civic action.

In sum, this book is in my view cohesive, and of course extremely informative. For me every chapter told its own piece of its role in the epic, and not a one was irrelevant or lacking in interest.



PS As a post script, for those interested in an equally good read, I must recommend a book on a related theme:Polio: An American Storya book which I read very soon after this one, having so thoroughly enjoyed the first, that I eagerly sought out a repeat experience! The recommended book did not disappoint me. It shares many of the Influenza epic's best attributes, but veers some in direction, to focus more on the individual protagonists and the personal quests involved, a perspective that afforded me an equal reading delight!
(222 customers reviews)
Customers Rating=4.0 / 5.0

More Detail For The Great Influenza The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History