The Great Influenza
The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
John M. Barry
At the height of WWI, historys 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 th...
Publish Date
2005
October 4
First Published in 2004
Goodreads rating
3.99
ISBN
9780143036494
Categories
Recommendations
8
Recommendations
May 18, 2020
We’re living through an unprecedented time right now. But if you’re looking for a historical comparison, the 1918 influenza pandemic is as close as you’re going to get. Barry will teach you almost everything you need to know about one of the deadliest outbreaks in human history. Even though 1918 was a very different time from today, The Great Influenza is a good reminder that we’re still dealing with many of the same challenges. – sourceMar 09, 2020
*The human suffering from this virus will be terrible enough and will expose what John Barry predicted in the epilogue to “The Great Influenza” in 2006, a must-read book about 1918 influenza: efficiencies imposed on hospital systems and “just-in-time” supply chains are threats. 3 – sourceJan 22, 2020
@Holykisses Remember the Great Influenza of 1918 (amazing book by Barry)...40-50 million died at a 10% kill rate. The higher the rate, the faster it is likely to burn itself out. 10% is a global pandemic nightmare. – sourceFeb 29, 2020
@ianbassin John Barry’s book The Great Influenza is a superb must read. More now than ever! – sourceFeb 19, 2020
Book recs from this week's show:
Dark Towers by @davidenrich
The Great Influenza by John Barry
Home Game by Michael Lewis – sourceFeb 27, 2020
Read this book by @johnmbarry a few years ago...found it fascinating. Decided to re-read...just for insights into disease and their effects on society. – sourceJan 24, 2020
I guess it is a good time to point out that "The Great Influenza" is a great book. If you think modern medicine would have mitigate this one, you haven't read the book. – sourceFeb 29, 2020
@heshsson yes1
brilliant book, which also explains flu better than most other things you will read – source