I just finished this book and thought that I should add it to the blog. Most of the books listed here are fiction, so here's something for all of you non-fiction lovers out there! Let me know if it interest you.
This title offers a riveting and alarming account of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 that struck the city of Philadelphia. Jim Murphy describes in detail the panic and struggle of the city's inhabitants to try to avoid and survive this plague and spends a lot of time describing in detail the city's squalid conditions, the physical horrors of this disease, and in many cases, the botched medical treatment received by victims of this illness due to the lack of knowledge about the infection. Also included in this account is a record of those individuals who remained behind and tried their best to help others and assume leadership in the city despite the excessive risk and danger of contracting this disease themselves simply by remaining.
Since there was no understanding of how Yellow Fever was contracted, there were many ideas and rumors that the fever only affected those of certain religion or cultural background. Murphy explores the various opinions of why it is was believed that certain people were affected. He also examines the communities of people who throughout history were scapegoats that were blamed for the spread of this disease simply because they were refugees or immigrants. Many believed that there was no way that "such a terrible killer could originate in their hometown" (Murphy, p. 126). The last chapter in the book offers a comprehensive look at Yellow Fever throughout history and how it still remains a potential threat to us today. Overall, this title offers an attention grabbing and thought provoking story of the epidemic that most definitely would engage its intended audience.
