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Pox: An American History (2011)

by Michael Willrich(Favorite Author)

3.57 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1594202869 (ISBN13: 9781594202865)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Penguin Press HC, The

review 1: More like 3.5 as a rating.I felt that certain sections could have been summarized more effectively, or left out entirely, and sections of this book did go slowly for me. However, I think this book is both interesting in a historical sense and relevant to our discussions on public health policy in recent years.I've already recommended this book to my mom for use in her high school U.S. History class, and I know at least one other person who might find this interesting and relevant to the work he's doing.
review 2: Very well written and researched. It was an easy read even though the amount of information was heavy at times. I bought this book having no real knowledge of smallpox or even to the mere fact that vaccination was so ill perceived by a society at large... more. People generally reacted out of fear and lack of knowledge when it came to the good that vaccinations can do. The main theme of the book was individual rights v the rights of the society...."compulsory vaccinations ranks with human slavery and religious persecution as one of the most flagrant outrages upon the rights of the human race" was just one argument. I did appreciate the hometown shout out of Rochester NY unfortunately it was because the mass hysterical of small pox and the recent deaths that the vaccinations supposedly caused parents to keep their children home from school which in turn meant the city of Rochesters schools were shut down out of the fear of small pox and vaccinations combined. I feel like vaccinations could easily once again become a red button issue. It was interesting on how the book included biological warfare using the small pox virus - could be easily doable I feel. Small pox, even the 'mild' form of small pox sounds horrifying enough - especially the "sweet sickly smell" that associated the victims of the pox is scary enough that I would without question or hesitation vaccinate myself. less

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