Product Description
For more than 3000 years, hundreds of millions of people have died or been left permanently scarred or blind by the relentless, incurable disease called smallpox. In 1967, Dr. D.A. Henderson became director of a worldwide campaign to eliminate this disease from the face of the earth.

This spellbinding book is Dr. Henderson's personal story of how he led the World Health Organization's campaign to eradicate smallpox the only disease in history to have been deliberately eliminated. Some have called this feat the greatest scientific and humanitarian achievement of the past century.

In a lively, engrossing narrative, Dr. Henderson makes it clear that the gargantuan international effort involved more than straightforward mass vaccination. He and his staff had to cope with civil wars, floods, impassable roads, and refugees as well as formidable bureaucratic and cultural obstacles, shortages of local health personnel and meager budgets. Countries across the world joined in the effort; the United States and the Soviet Union worked together through the darkest cold war days; and professionals from more than 70 nations served as WHO field staff. On October 26, 1976, the last case of smallpox occurred. The disease that annually had killed two million people or more had been vanquished and in just over ten years.

The story did not end there. Dr. Henderson recounts in vivid detail the continuing struggle over whether to destroy the remaining virus in the two laboratories still that held it. Then came the startling discovery that the Soviet Union had been experimenting with smallpox virus as a biological weapon and producing it in large quantities. The threat of its possible use by a rogue nation or a terrorist has had to be taken seriously and Dr. Henderson has been a central figure in plans for coping with it.

New methods for mass smallpox vaccination were so successful that he sought to expand the program of smallpox immunization to include polio, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccines. That program now reaches more than four out of five children in the world and is eradicating poliomyelitis.

This unique book is to be treasured a personal and true story that proves that through cooperation and perseverance the most daunting of obstacles can be overcome.
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Customer Reviews (8)

jah
One of the most interesting books I have read about infectious diseases. What a loyal and committed group accomplished this incredible disease.

An extinction to celebrate
Smallpox reigned through history as one of the most destructive diseases the human species ever suffered. Hundreds of millions of people are estimated to have died from it in the twentieth century alone. Its eradication, twenty years ago this year, remains unique: no other disease has been eliminated, once and and for all.

To some extent, smallpox almost aided in its own demise. Unlike life-long HIV infections, smallpox runs its course, to survival or death, within a few weeks. Unlike bubonic plague, there is no animal reservoir for the pathogen - when no more people have the disease, it can't come back. Unlike influenza, for which new vaccines are needed every year, only one vaccine was needed during the decades of intensive eradication effort.The disease's deadliness was only one reason it was such an attractive target for elimination.

This book tells the story of that elimination effort, written by the man who led that effort. Not just a medical miracle, it required cooperation from every nation on earth plus the warring factions thatcontrolled areas where smallpox was endemic. That feat of cooperation very nearly counts as a miracle in itself and represents, to my mind, Dr. Henderson's most stunning achievement.

That cooperation faced continuous threats through the decades of the eradication program. As in any field, funding was always uncertain - especially when so many 'experts' said the goal was impossible, and that the funds should be directed to other diseases. The funding agencies quarreled amongst themselves, too. In one case Henderson describes, a funding group refused to pay for fuel for the team's trucks, on the grounds that a different agency had provided the trucks. Then, the team faced challenges from the terrain they had to cover, often in remote and nearly inaccessible areas - or in areas of active war, where the medical team needed permission from both sides to vaccinate and monitor the population. Not just doctors, educators, and negotiators, Henderson's team had to be mechanics as well, to deal with the inevitable breakdowns days away from the nearest repair shop. Then, they had to change their way of working to accommodate the unique political environment of every country in which they worked.

But, in the end, Henderson and his team succeeded, except for samples in two laboratories. Henderson and his team previously documented their approach to the eradication in a World Health Organization document over a thousand pages in length. The story deserves a wider audience, however. This book presents a lively and very readable summary of that massive report. Today we face challenges of our own, from other pathogens. Techniques specific to smallpox eradication might not be appropriate to malaria, HIV, or other diseases. Any eradication effort, however, can learn from the creativity and heroic determination of the team that drove smallpox to extinction.

-- wiredweird

The Personal Account
After reading several other books that explore smallpox eradication, Henderson's account appears more in-depth and personal. It places the reader in the situation, its stresses and successes. The reality of the narrative is supported by both strong personal biases and fast-paced anecdotes. The bias is shown in dark portrayals of bureaucratic figures that were shown to impede progress instead of assisting eradication. Henderson writes with strong, liberal voice that is true to life. He is blunt and decisive, and this is reflected in the text.

The anecdotal clippings that are boxed and scattered in the book depict unique struggles and solutions of the eradication campaign. Cultural and environmental barriers of the campaign are exposed in the brief accounts. "A novel way to detect hidden cases" is one example of an unusual solution; in order to reveal denied cases of smallpox, a vehicle was driven into deep mud to interest infected villagers, bringing them out of their homes.

Henderson also emphasizes the need for rule-breaking. He boldly suggests that certain conditions require radical action. His assertions are projected by scenarios and are proven valid by the ultimate success achieved by Henderson and other members of the campaign to bring the death of a disease.

Engaging from Cover to Cover
Smallpox: The Death of disease is an intriguing, true story about the smallpox global eradication campaign told by the man who ran it himself, Dr. D.A Henderson. After providing a solid foundation with a summary of smallpox history, he plunges into the course of eradication. Henderson gives a unique anecdotal insight into a few of the intricacies and personalities that shaped the campaign program. The story travels through each country and phase of the eradication where floods, mechanical problems and not to mention cultural resistance were around every corner.Misguided politics had a significant influence as well.Fortunately, Henderson's hands on approach and disregard for inhibitive regulations lead the effort to success.
The reader also gets a glimpse behind the scenes of the eradication certification program as well as the chilling biosecurity issues that have surfaced post-eradication. Henderson has continued to play an important role in advising the government on how to prepare for potential bioterror attacks involving smallpox. However, he concludes with a surprising opinion about future eradication efforts.
Overall, the story is engaging from cover to cover.Henderson's anecdotal account of the campaign provides a unique dimension, which no other smallpox literature can provide. The lessons learned from this achievement should serve as a template for future global effort as well as personal life goals. In addition, smallpox aside, this inspiring account is evidence that no obstacle can inhibit a strong a will.

ecommended for health and general-interest libraries alike
Any interested in a history of disease control - especially any health library - needs Smallpox: The Death of a Disease. It charts 3,000 years of the relentless, incurable disease and the author's own campaign to eliminate this disease from the world. Dr. Henderson's personal story of how he led the World Health Organization's efforts is riveting and provides an insider's account of international health issues. Recommended for health and general-interest libraries alike.
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Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

An encyclopedia of information about the history of smallpox
If I had to choose only word to describe The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in History by Donald R. Hopkins, it would be "thorough."The book is comparable to an encyclopedia in its comprehensiveness of the history of smallpox.Hopkins somehow manages to write about smallpox in all five continents and its history in each of those continents.In addition to discussing the fairly well-known history of smallpox in Europe, he thoroughly chronicles smallpox in East and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa which I think is rarer and sometimes more interesting knowledge.In doing so, Hopkins blends history and medicine and presents himself as both a doctor and historian with the authority to speak about smallpox.

My main criticism of Hopkins's novel is how he documents the people affected by smallpox.Hopkins writes in his introduction that he "deliberately chose to linger on the illnesses and deaths of prominent persons...first, because they were bound to be of more obvious consequence to history than the illnesses or deaths of numerous less influential folk" (Hopkins xiv).Ironically though, in listing every single member of royalty that was ever infected with smallpox in the history of the world, Hopkins turns these prominent persons into less influential folk in the minds of the readers.At the end of first few chapters of the book, I couldn't recall one monarch in European history that had been infected with smallpox (except for Queen Elizabeth I) because they all blurred together in my mind.Essentially, there was nothing distinguishing these monarchs from all the other millions of people infected with smallpox because Hopkins only succeeded in pressing upon the reader that A LOT of people were infected with smallpox.Be forewarned that there are a lot of names and dates, and it is sometimes overwhelming.

However, when Hopkins is not listing every single prominent person in the history of the world infected with smallpox, he does write an incredibly interesting account of other aspects of the history of smallpox - how it changed the trajectory of numerous empires, how different cultures responded to the disease, and how the "same despair, tragedy, fear, bewilderment, and mistakes...seen in African and Asian villages...[also occurred] in European palaces, North American hospitals, and elsewhere in the not so distance past" (Hopkins xiv).The organization of the book allows for readers to easily observe the evolution of attitudes and behaviors towards smallpox in the different continents (i.e. his last chapter is called "Erythrotherapy and Eradication"), and although very dense, Hopkins's writing is comprehensive and easy to read.

In 1806, Thomas Jefferson wrote to Edward Jenner that "future generations will know by history only that the loathsome has existed."I would not be surprised if Hopkins's book became the main vehicle for knowing the existence and history of smallpox in the future.
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Product Description
A Washington Post Best Book of 2001, Scourge provides a definitive account of the dramatic story of smallpox by a leading "expert on biological and chemical weapons" (The New York Times). Jonathan B. Tucker traces the history of the smallpox virus from its first recorded outbreak around 3700 B.C. through its use as the first biological warfare agent in human history, and draws some decisively important lessons for the future. In a timely debate, Tucker addresses the ever-growing concerns about the proliferation of the deadly smallpox virus and its use by terrorist organizations. Explaining how the eradication of the disease in the late 1970s encouraged military research and production of the virus, he exposes the failure of the Russian government to secure its remaining cold-war stockpiles, and evaluates the past and present measures undertaken by the United States to counter the existing dangers of a smallpox attack. Ultimately, he passionately argues for the strengthening of the existing legal ban on the development and possession of biological weapons. Impeccably researched, Scourge is as arresting as it is indispensable, and as William Beatty in Booklist raves, Tucker "has a sense of ... history that helps him make the story of smallpox as disease and ... weapon fascinating and frightening." Scourge has been acclaimed as "a concise, suspenseful and scientifically accurate narrative." -- The New York Times Book Review" Tucker's fascinating, revealing book affords the reader a sobering look at this new type of warfare...." -- Chris Patsilelis, Houston Chronicle -- "[Tucker] reports the debate evenhandedly and with telling detail." -- David Brown, The Washington Post Book World ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

"The world's most dangerous prisoner"
Small pox used to be a dreaded disease, killing millions the world over.The variola virus is extremely contagious and kills between 10 and 30 percent of it's victims.But in spite of it's prevalence, a number of factors inspired some to dream that it might be possible to eradicate this terrifying menace.From the English physician Edward Jenner, who developed a vaccine, to D. A. Hendrickson's tireless efforts with the CDC and WHO to overcome political, bureaucratic, and social resistance in many nations, Jonathan Tucker describes the heroic struggle to rid the world of this scourge.

And although their efforts were successful beyond anyone's imagination and there has not been a death or outbreak in 30 years, the small pox virus still exists.It sits, "the world's most dangerous prisoner," in known and perhaps unknown stockpiles, awaiting a death sentence that has not been carried out.The story of it's containment and eradication from society is a highly inspirational one, but there's a darker side to the story.Although the containment saw unprecedented cooperation between the USA and USSR during the height of the Cold War, revelations from a Soviet researcher have exposed efforts within the former Soviet Union to develop the small pox virus into a biological weapon.

Mr. Tucker gives a brief history of the disease followed with a more detailed account of the events surrounding the eradication campaign.He also describes the arguments and efforts for and against the final destruction of the virus.Most chillingly, he offers a scenario of the likely effects and frightening implications of the possible reintroduction through terrorist means.It might be an unlikely scenario, but it's not by any means implausible.This is a very interesting book that will both inspire and disturb readers.Most people over the age of 40 still bear the scar from vaccination, giving a false sense of security, but such immunity was only good for about 10 years.Very interesting and relevant today, this is a well done book.

A straightforward and compelling historcal account
Scourge is quite simply the first smallpox-related book that I have enjoyed from beginning to end.Jonathan Tucker truly pulls off a remarkable feat, synthesizing the vast amount of literature into a taut, compelling account of the history of smallpox, the most terrible disease ever to plague mankind.At its core, Scourge is a comprehensive and fairly neutral account of the history of smallpox, from early epidemics in Europe and America to the unparalleled efforts of the WHO eradication campaign to the contemporary debate regarding the fate of the remaining smallpox strains.

Many readers, upon opening Scourge for the first time may wonder:Why do people still care? Wasn't smallpox eradicated?Tucker answers these questions from the very start with a hypothetical scenario on death row, a potent metaphor for the contemporary debate on whether or not to destroy the remaining smallpox strands.It is a simple device that serves to remind the reader of the current relevancy of smallpox, which helps to support the book in its recounting of early history.He begins the historical account with speculations on the role of smallpox in early civilizations and darts through an account of the epidemics in Europe and America during the 18th century as well as Jenner's development of the smallpox vaccine.

These events, however, are merely meant to be a primer for the heart of Scourge, which is the discussion of smallpox in the 20th century onward. In the first part of this discussion Tucker devotes full attention to the massive WHO eradication campaign, detailing its early efforts in West and Central Africa to the final push in India and Bangladesh.Tucker wisely anchors the story of the eradication campaign to the personal journey of its director, D.A. Henderson.His rise from an officer of the Epidemiological Intelligence Service to director of the smallpox eradication campaign is rife with ambition and unwitting betrayal, as the unexpected acceptance of his combined smallpox/measles vaccination program proposal strains the resources of the EIS and almost destroys his relationship to his superior, Dr. Alexander Langston.Henderson's story, as well as the other stories of the individuals involved in the eradication campaign convincingly puts a human face to this chapter in the smallpox story.

The second half of this discussion, focusing on smallpox and biological warfare is compelling as well, although the horrific content would arguably stand on its own in lesser hands.He retraces in detail the Soviet Union's intentions to weaponize smallpox as an agent of biological warfare and the work of the Vector program, which was devoted to the engineering of viruses for such purposes.Once again Tucker wisely anchors this discussion to the personal stories of the people involved, particularly Kanatjan Alibekov's progression from aspiring physician to scientist in the Vector program to active anti-biological warfare spokesperson.Tucker captures the perpetual sense of dread and uncertainty regarding whether or not the international community will ever reach a consensus regarding the fate of the remaining smallpox strands.By meticulously recreating the dense web of conflicting interests regarding international security and the possibility of rogue sources of smallpox, Tucker ably conveys the moral and ethical ambiguities characteristic of the debate regarding destruction, which is itself a testament to Tucker's clear, impartial writing style.

This neutrality is both a source of Scourge's strength and weakness, depending on the reader's expectations. Those looking for stirring or controversial commentary regarding the debate on smallpox destruction will be disappointed; Tucker refuses to take a stance, offering general recommendations for the future handling of biological warfare but never personally commenting on whether or not the remaining smallpox strands should be destroyed.Yet the cool, uncalculating eye that Tucker casts on events allows history to breathe and compel on its own; as a result, events like the implementation of coercion tactics in the WHO eradication campaign feel very real and devoid of the sensationalism that generally plagues many historical accounts. While the book may be less controversial because of it, Tucker's lack of bias preserves the already riveting essence of the narrative and is all the better for it.

As far as smallpox books go, Scourge is hard to beat.Packed to the brim with smallpox history yet accessible to any reader, Tucker's narrative is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in smallpox and stands as one of the best introductions to the subject available.

Great Read on Infectious Disease, Morbidity and Mortality
One of my standard arguments for the world getting better is to point out that for the first time in history we are free of deadly infectious diseases such as smallpox.In this biography of the disease, we learn the true cost of smallpox on humanity and how the disease has shaped human history.We also understand why we would never want to go back to a day when all people lived in fear of the pox.

Half-Good
I was really hoping that it would focus more on the "Once" rather than the "Future", but I was sadly disappointed. Although there were a few choice morsels detailing the suffering that smallpox has caused to people in the past, and the history of inocculation was also quite interesting, most of the book discussed the long (and rather boring) history of the global eradication of the disease, and the current dilemma with smallpox virus samples being stored in various locations around the world. I mean, it's not like those topics aren't interesting... but they cannot compare with the horrific, wince-inducing facts about the illness itself.

Interesting and well written
A methodical, thorough, competent, sober, sobering and comprehensive account of the efforts over the years to rid the world of smallpox. His analysis of the politics involved as well as luck, timing - good and bad - are interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
Compassionate and arresting, this exploration of three major diseases that have changed the course of history—the bubonic plague, smallpox, and AIDS—chronicles their fearsome death toll, their lasting social, economic, and political implications, and how medical knowledge and treatments have advanced as a result of the crises they have occasioned. "A book that would serve well for reports, but it is also a fascinating read."—SLJ.

Best Books of 1995 (SLJ)
Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies 1996 (NCSS/CBC)
1995 Young Adult Editors’ Choices (BL)
1995 Top of the List Non Fiction (BL)
1996 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
Notable Children’s Books of 1996 (ALA) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

This book changed my life!
I read this book in 6th grade when I randomly picked it up from the new books section of the library. Up to that point I was never interested in anything medical, but this book inspired me to look in that direction. I was absolutely fascinated, from learning about the actually biology behind the plagues, to disease's influence on history.

Fast forward 8 years, and I'm abouto start college and work towords a Pre Med degree. I am so happy I found something I'm passionate about, and am so thankful I found this book when I did!

The cover's neat too
I read this book when I was in the sixth grade. While I read it for fun, it was also useful later in the year for school. Being an avid disease book reader, this is one of the best. Itcould have gone in to a tiny bit more detail on the the symptoms, but then again some people can't handle that much anyway.

A Good Learning Book
As a 7th grader this book really helped understand a little more about the black death, small pox and AIDS. It doesnt go into much detail, but gives you a general feel.

This book is not appropriate for an elementary school
The publisher says that this book is appropriate for grade 6-12. I disagree. While I feel the book is well written and informative - I strongly suggest that educators think twice before putting the book in an elementary school library.
Perhaps have it available in case an advanced 6th grader has a need for detailed information regarding the topics.
My 9 year old - 4th grade son brought the book home from school yesterday. While AIDS is an important subject for him to learn about - I do not feel that the details of specific high-risk sexual contact needs to be available to him at his age.
I feel the book would be more appropriate for grades 9-12.

Informational and well-written
We read this book in class and it is an excellent source of information as well as interesting, and offers all points of view on each "plague" as well as the facts. Covers a lot on the little known parts, and victims of AIDS, and a short kind of Bio on Ryan White. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an engaging and fascinating story of a conditional human success story. Smallpox has been one of the most devastating scourges of humanity throughout recorded history, and it is the only human illness to have been eradicated, though polio may soon follow it to official extinction through human agency. However, while smallpox is officially extinct in nature, our fears that stocks of smallpox virus may return as a weapon of bioterrorists have led to the stockpiling of vaccine, and continuing vigilance, even though the official victory over smallpox is now 15 years old. The Life and Death of Smallpox presents the entire engaging history of our struggle and ultimate victory over one of our oldest and worst enemies. The story of the campaign to track down and eradicate the virus, throughout the world--the difficulties, setbacks, and the challenges successfully met--is a highlight of a fascinating book, but we can't be confident of the ending. The final chapter of the book clearly and authoritatively explains the current status of the threat, from the deliberate release of smallpox or other potential agents of biological terrorism. ... Read more

Product Description
A horrifying epidemic of smallpox was sweeping across North America when the War of Independence began, and until now we have known almost nothing about it. Elizabeth A. Fenn is the first historian to reveal how deeply Variola affected the outcome of the war in every colony and the lives of everyone on the continent. Her remarkable research shows us how the disease devastated the American troops at Quebec and kept them at bay during the British occupation of Boston, and how it ravaged slaves in Virginia who had escaped to join the British forces. During the terrible winter at Valley Forge, General Washington had to decide if and when to attempt the risky inoculation of his troops.

The destructive, desolating power of smallpox made for a cascade of public-health crises and heartbreaking human drama. Fenn's innovative work shows how this megatragedy was met and what its consequences were for the young republic.
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Customer Reviews (24)

A great book for history and non-history students alike!
After reading Elizabeth A. Fenn's "Biological Warfare in Eighteenth-Century North America: Beyond Jeffery Amherst" article for a western civilization course, I wanted to know more about the deadly smallpox, and found this book! Fenn's simple and straightforward way of writing makes it an easier read than some other history books, but nevertheless it is informative and filled with interesting accounts. Fenn has the ability to keep readers engaged without bogging them down in scholarly or esoteric language or concepts. She also uses an incredible amount of research and primary and secondary sources. Included are details about smallpox, the symptoms and spread of the disease across the United States, and some interesting information about George Washington and other historical figures who came in contact with the pestilence (as well as MUCH more!). I would highly recommend this read to anyone interested in the late years of the 18th century, American history, or smallpox and epidemiology. It definitely served its purpose for my class, and considering I am not a history major, I found it to be engaging and an excellent read.

Pox Americana
You think swine flue is bad, think again. Its amazing how much of an impact smallpox had on the Revolution. We came so close to defeat, not by the hands of the British but because of the virus. It showed up at every major event of the war and had a huge impact on the outcome of these events. From the Siege of Boston to Yorktown smallpox was there. It was also only an American disease since in England the virus was endemic (a harmless childhood sickness much like chicken pox). In the colonies it was not endemic so the Patriots, Loyalists, slaves, and natives were very vulnerable, dying en masse.

A second epidemic then spread from Mexico City to Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. It eventually made its way to the Pacific Northwest. Explorers described Northwest coast villages as graveyards, with skeletons lying everywhere.

A very good book on an important, but relatively unknown, event in American history.

Uneven but often compelling narrative
With Pox Americana, Fenn crafts a sprawling narrative detailing the overlooked smallpox epidemic of 1775-1782 in the Americas and the tumultuous times of revolution that surrounded it.While the global devastation caused by smallpox over the past few centuries has been well documented, Fenn's book offers an uneven but often compelling perspective on the events that shaped America's birth, deftly elucidating the undeniable influence of smallpox on the course of the American Revolution.

Pox Americana begins with an account of the American army and George Washington's struggle to fight off both smallpox and the British; the narrative is especially gripping here, as it provides a detailed glimpse into how prominently smallpox factored into both side's war strategies.Fenn then traces smallpox's journey through North America by detailing the lives of the various peoples who inhabited America and the constant struggle to coexist with the lethal contagion and carry on with their lives.With the myriad stories of the colonists waging war to the Native Americans running the fur trade, Fenn raises many themes that still resonate today, particularly the use of biological warfare and how the American way of life facilitates the transmission of disease.

The scope of Pox Americana is breathtaking.Fenn clearly poured over many, many sources to craft her portrait of an infant America irrevocably shaped by the smallpox epidemic.The research pays off; the role of smallpox in George Washington's decision-making process and the tragedy that befell countless Native Americans makes for compelling history reading.Yet Fenn's narrative is not without its share of flaws.While it may be a function of the historical events themselves, Pox Americana is a very top-heavy narrative; it starts out strong in its depiction of the American Revolution but loses steam throughout the second half of the book, when the revolution is no longer the focus.During this second half the narrative becomes bogged down in repetitive and overlong accounts of Native Americans and settlers dealing with smallpox during the fur trade.Unfortunately, the book never really recovers, losing momentum long before the epilogue rolls around.

Yet Pox Americana's shortcomings never quite derail the experience.Despite the uneven structure and pacing of the narrative, the sheer amount of quality historical content makes Pox Americana a unique and worthwhile read for anyone remotely interested in learning how one disease helped define the course of a burgeoning country.

A Throrough History of a Devastating Epidemic
Pox American follows the smallpox epidemic that spread through North America from 1775-1782, tracing its impact on the Revolutionary War and Native American and Colonial society. Historian Elizabeth Fenn is meticulous in chronicling the devastation, using firsthand accounts and surviving records to sketch out the death and fear that followed the disease.

The impact of smallpox on the Revolutionary War occupies much of the book. Epidemiologically, the Americans were at a disadvantage. Smallpox was endemic in Europe, and British soldiers were much more likely to have been exposed to the disease, gaining immunity. This vulnerability led to serious losses during the revolutionary army's invasion of Canada, as smallpox weakened and killed susceptible soldiers.

George Washington struggled with the decision of whether to inoculate his soldiers. Under the imperfect technique of the time, inoculation was a draining affair, confining inoculees to sickbeds. The process also potentially increased the risks of transmission, as inoculees were contagious during the dormant period that followed inoculation. Fenn skillfully uses this dilemma to build tension in a historic account.

In the post-Revolutionary period, Fenn focuses on the impact of smallpox on Native American populations throughout the continent, offering repeated accounts of decimated villages and devastated cultures. Native peoples were more vulnerable to the disease, and the successive accounts of loss are heart-rending.

The book is thorough and engaging but can be technical in its presentation of history. The larger themes of the Revolutionary War aren't fleshed out. The author, it seems, is confident that readers will remember battles and developments they may not have encountered since elementary school. But the book is compelling in advancing its central theme: the outsized impact of this continent-wide epidemic.

Well written.
The book's research is fairly thorough.The work flows well from one region and topic to the next, and is an interesting addition to the history of the revolutionary period. ... Read more

Product Description
Though smallpox was eradicated from the planet two decades ago, recent terrorist acts have raised the horrific possibility that rogue states, laboratories, or terrorist groups are in possession of secret stockpiles of the virus that causes the disease, and may be preparing to unleash it on target populations.
Because it is a far deadlier killer than other biological warfare agents such as anthrax, and because the universal vaccination against smallpox was halted decades ago, a smallpox attack today would be nothing short of catastrophic. This clear, authoritative study looks at the long and fascinating history of the virus, with an informative overview of the political, biological, environmental, medical, and legal issues surrounding the question of whether or not the virus should be exterminated.
The only two known samples of the virus are currently stored in Atlanta and Russia. The World Health Organization has repeatedly scheduled their destruction--an action that would rid the planet of all publicly acknowledged smallpox strains forever. Opponents of this plan argue that by destroying these last samples we are denying the possibility that this unique virus could be turned to beneficial purposes in basic scientific research. Others see the stockpile as part of a deterrent against future germ attacks. Proponents of prompt eradication argue that scientists have already learned all they can from this particular virus, and that by destroying the stockpile we are preventing it from ever falling into the wrong hands. As a thirty-year veteran of arms control issues, David Koplow is uniquely suited to provide readers with an informed and well-considered understanding of the complexities involved in the handling of this deadly virus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A multi-disciplinary overview of smallpox
Smallpox: the Fight to Eradicate a Global Scourge is a thorough, multi-disciplinary overview of the debate whether or not to destroy the remaining known stocks of smallpox virus in Vector Laboratory in Russia and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.The beginning chapters provide readers with introductory knowledge of smallpox - its biology, its history, its use as a biological weapon, and its place as an issue in international environmental and health policy.Although each chapter in itself does not cover every issue of the subject (theoretically, each chapter could have been expanded upon to become its own book), Koplow presents an incredibly multi-disciplinary understanding of smallpox as a biological, historical, and political agent.For example, a chapter about environmental law and policy may seem unrelated to smallpox at first, but Koplow discusses many policy aspects that ultimately both are affected by smallpox and affect the development, use, and distribution of smallpox.Ultimately, each chapter serves as a building block to Koplow's final two chapters, one of which presents the argument for eradication and the other against the eradication.Koplow is professional and neutral in his presentation of the background knowledge; readers will not know whether he is for or against the extinction of smallpox until the final two chapters.

It is fairly apparent that the book is written for the general public - people who are unfamiliar with smallpox, biological weapons, and public health.For people who know little about these subjects, Koplow writes an incredible introduction to the numerous aspects of smallpox including its basic history and biology and the politics that surround the disease.This book is not tailored for people who are searching for in-depth discussion of the history or biology of smallpox.For people who are more educated about the issues, some sections may be cursory and too general.Still, I appreciated Koplow's approach to presenting an entire package of information about smallpox.

Perhaps what I enjoyed most about this book is how applicable its content is to today's world.Through his organization and style of writing, Koplow encourages his readers to think about smallpox as more than just an eradicated virus confined to the pages of a history or biology textbook.He succeeds in equipping the readers with the information and questions necessary to engage in the debate about extinction of smallpox.Furthermore, the framework of analysis and thought he uses to address smallpox could be used for any other infectious disease (such as HIV to which he makes numerous reference).Thus, Koplow doesn't tell his readers what to think about smallpox but how to think about public health issues in general.Koplow asks the question "should the remaining stocks of smallpox be destroyed?" and he shows that the answer to that question is anything but simple.

World Health Organization(WHO), Russian , USA: the2 countries possessing the last stockpiles of the small pox virus
5/18/09Kaplow's book (classified as politics/medicine on the back cover))in its Intro( Pgs 1 to 7) gives an excellent summary of what's to be expected in each of its 9 chapters(Where the Chapters endon Pg 238 , the Notes, Bibliography and Index complete the book's Pg 265[the book is designed like a "Cliff's notes with its black and yellowcover and microscopic germs design ,but it is absolutely not a "pony (a/k/a just cheat sheets"(unless "one would be tempted" to stop reading, after reading "the 7 Pages of Intro."(Although the "World Health Organization/WHO"* is not listed in the Index ,"it does hold its own" on the Content page ,informing readers that it is "all about 'WHO'* in Chapter 5(Pgs 137-157)...The text, onPg 30, part of Chap 1(Pgs 9-31):"Rise and Fall of Smallpox" informs readers that no country(except Israel) any longer continues to give routine military vaccination onlarge scale),and that the USA & Russia possess the last "ampules of the variola virus"(called smallpox).(the USA-450 samples;Russia-120 isolates)...The book gives not only "much history to date of publication" about "the now extinct "smallpox" but also seriousdebates as to what to do with the USA & Russia supplies, based on the final word from WHO*.

Political
Having just finished this book and Richard Prestons' Demon in the Freezer it would be hard to compare the two as they are obviously written for different purposes. Koplow obviously wants to make a political message and he does so quite succinctly at the end of this book in regards to whether smallpox samples should be destroyed or not.
It certainly adds to the debate and I find Koplow's arguments compelling but on such a momentous subject as this one would like to hear a range of argument and counter argument.
Koplow's book is not a page turner and it is not written by a professional author, Koplow was the Pentagon's senior legal adviser on biological war issues.
There are some hints within the book as to what other countries may be doing in the field of biological weapons research and I would imagine that Koplow was privileged to secrets the public will never know about.
All in all though if you are interested in this subject get this book and integrate it into your thinking. 4 stars for having a go on very difficult and dry topic. ... Read more

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New scholarly study of smallpox program, important on Indian medicine, historiography of medial research. by a leading scholar, Wellcome Institute London ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

An amazing graphic novel
Part history lesson, part epidemiology action adventure. For anyone interested in public health, the CDC, infectious diseases, and graphic novels: a brilliant amalgam. ... Read more

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An Event That Forever Changed the Face of the West

On April 17, 1837, the steamboat St. Peter's pulled away from a St. Louis dock and began its annual journey up the Missouri River. Its mission was to deliver supplies to fur trading posts on the upper Missouri.

On that spring day, no one aboard the St. Peter's could have imagined the effect the voyage would have on Western history and the American Indian culture. The steamboat carried a shipment not listed on its manifest--a disease so horrible Indian parents sometimes killed their children to save them from terrible agony. Its scientific name was Variola major. Its common name was smallpox. Many natives knew it as "Rotting Face."

R.G. Robertson details how the smallpox epidemic of 1837-1838 altered the political and social structure of Native American tribes. In less than a year the disease virtually destroyed the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arickara cultures. It claimed entire villages of Blackfeet, stripping that proud nation of its power and wealth, leaving it too weak to stop invasions by other tribes and white settlers.

Before it ran out of human fuel, Rotting Face claimed an estimated 20,000 natives, doing more damage to the Northern Plains dtribes in one year than all the military expeditions ever sent against American Indians.

Robertson details the history of smallpox and the profound impact the disease had in Europe, Asia and the Americas, where it killed or maimed rich and poor, royalty and peasant.

Robertson's gripping and graphic account dispels some popular myths about the role of whites in the spread of this devastating disease. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Fills a certain Void in the Historical Literature
R. G. Robertson's Rotting Face: Smallpox and the American Indian relates the 1837-1838 smallpox epidemic that devastated the Native American population. Topic certainly fills a void in the smallpox and Native American literature. Robertson reveals the interdependent relationship between the Native Indians and the settlers' fur trade. Other secondary elements surface as well such as the power of an Indian woman and the amount of interracial mixing that took place outside of the towns.
Robertson tracks every step of the epidemic as smallpox attacked " like a scythe mowing the summer hay." I appreciate the attention to detail in everything from the fur trade hierarchy, to smallpox symptoms to an Indian chief's attire.However, at times the author's pain-staking details prove to be a fault and make for tedious periods in the book.
In addition, the work is written for the general public as essential terms applicable to smallpox and Indian history are clearly defined. Robertson does plainly admit some potential inaccuracies in his statistics and references due to an incomplete record of Native American history. Although he makes this disclaimer, he makes many assumptions and relates them in the format of " No doubt Chardon felt..." and "No doubt Chardon thought...", a bit of an excessive liberty in my opinion.
Despite the criticisms, I would recommend this book because it adds an untold piece to the puzzle of smallpox history and American history.

Excellent and accurate historical review of the tragic effects of smallpox on Native American populations
An excellent and eyeopening review of the effects that smallpox had on Native American populations, with detailed information from journals kept at Fort Clark (North Dakota) on the Missouri River circa 1830s.Additional historical context of earlier smallpox incursions that literally altered the human landscape of North America.Followed up with a site visit to Fort Clark (now a N.D. State Historic site), which brought the read to life.A must read for those with interest in Native American history and their early struggles with disease brought by European and Spanish incursion into North America.

An accurate and revealing historical account
Rotting Face by author and historian R. G. Robertson is an accurate and revealing historical account of the cruelty of a devastating disease that decimated a people with no immunological defense against it. Variola major, commonly known as smallpox, dubbed "Rotting Face" was first carried to Native American peoples by means of a steamboat voyage, and carved a deadly swath of sickness, suffering, and death everywhere it spread. It destroyed the American Indian cultures of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arickara in less than a year, devoured entire villages of the Blackfeet, and claimed more lives from the Northern Plains tribes in one year than all the military expeditions ever sent against American Indians. Rotting Face is a compelling, graphic account dedicated to providing cold, hard facts and dispelling myths, particuarly in regard to the role of whites in the spread of this lethal disease. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in Native American history, as well as the history of deadly diseases.

uncritical use of data
The text of this book is often redundant and filled with uncritical, often racist, paraphrases and quotes from "those at the scene".As much as I admire his thoroughness in using original diaries and reports, it is less than useful to cite the contents of such reports in mind numbing detail.As a medical anthropologist and long time lover of medical history I was disappointed and am taking the book back for a refund. ... Read more

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Smallpox was a much feared disease until modern times, responsible for many deaths worldwide and reaching epidemic proportions amongst the British population in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This is the first substantial critical study of the literary representation of the disease and its victims between the Restoration and the development of inoculation against smallpox around 1800. David Shuttleton draws upon a wide range of canonical texts including works by Dryden, Johnson, Steele, Goldsmith and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the latter having experimented with vaccination against smallpox. He reads these texts alongside medical treatises and the rare, but moving writings of smallpox survivors, showing how medical and imaginative writers developed a shared tradition of figurative tropes, myths and metaphors. This fascinating study uncovers the cultural impact of smallpox, and the different ways writers found to come to terms with the terror of disease and death. ... Read more

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Banish awkward silences, boring weather talk, or (worst of all) the embarrassing conversation gaff with this pithy, hilarious guide to effortless party banter.

We’ve all been there. You’re at a party, surrounded by the most important people in your life. You’re cool. You’re casual. You’re witty and urbane. Until suddenly, quite unexpectedly, things take a turn for the worse when a subject thought to be common knowledge is lobbed your way. A hush falls over the room and every head seems to swivel expectantly in your direction.
[ART: SET THESE OFF IN A DIFFERENT COLOR?]
“Rasputin. Sure, Rasputin. The Russian guy, right? Who . . . who . . . whooooo was Russian.”

“Che Guevara? You mean the dancer?”

“Oh my God! Mao Tse-tung? They have the best chicken with cashews!”
The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties was written with just this moment in mind. In fourteen pain-free, laughter-filled chapters, authors David Matalon and Chris Woolsey brush away years of cobwebs on subjects as wide-ranging as the typical round of Jeopardy: war, science, politics, philosophy, the arts, business, literature, music, religion, and more.
Armed with The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties, you’ll know that Chicago Seven wasn’t a boy band, Martin Luther never fought for civil rights, and Franz Kafka isn’t German for “I have a bad cold.”You’ll be the smart one who’s the center of conversation—and nothing beats that feeling.

Customer Reviews (59)

Irritating Beyond Belief
This would be a decent book if only the authors could have restrained themselves from making a stupid, cheeseball parenthetical joke every couple of sentences. The attempts at humor are feeble and extremely overdone. I got through about 15 pages and couldn't take it any longer. Readers who appreciate the level of humor found in "_____ For Dummies" books may find this book mildly amusing, but everyone else should spare themselves the agony.

Joking about the Bataan Death March?
I got this book because I though it would be an interesting overview on some general topics. As a college professor I know a lot about my subject area, but have a surprising lack of general knowledge about my colleague's specialties. After finishing it, I was frustrated enough at myself for wasting several hours that I'm taking time to write this review.

Here are my gripes with the book:

1. I know it would be impossible to include everything that you would need to know about a general topic, but there are a lot of possiblities left out.

2. The premise of this book is kind of silly (admitted, I was the dummy who read it, though)- From my experiences of parties you're either going to run into A.) ignorant rubes who are going to have NO idea what you are talking about; thus, you are going to look like a pretentious snob (not really something that is going to make you popular) or B.) people who have studied the subject in depth who are going to want to talk intelligently about it (meaning talking about more than what you could find out from a junior high school textbook). In this case you are going to look like an idiot/"wannabe". They will probably enjoy making fun of you once you leave, though. (Again, not really going to make you more popular).

3. The jokes were terrible and INCREDIBLY distracting. After about the first chapter I just skipped anything that was in parentheses.

4. I seriously hope that the suggestions for ways to bring the topics into a conversation were strictly for entertainment value. Most were inane, obscure, or downright offensive. Seriously, if anyone is thinking about it don't bring up the Bataan Death March in casual passing. . .

Fun Practical Knowledge
What I really loved about this book is that I was actually laughing out loud while I was learning something new. Unlike a lot of these "did you know" books, this book gives easy to read and complete summaries of events or peoples lives and was chock full of useful info I could actually use in conversation (not just a jumble of funny facts). I also loved the "how to bring it up" suggestions at the end of each entry. The best thing was that after reading the book I was able to put my new "sounding smart" skills to work that night at a party I went to. I read some of the other reviews here and I suppose if you're one of those pseudo-intellectual know-it-alls you'll find some flaws in just about anything, but if you're normal person like me, I think you'll find this a fun, entertaining, and informative read.

Funny AND Intelligent?!
Flat out, this book is great. It is funny without trying to imitate or be pretentious - while also being informative. Well worth the purchase.

Such a Smart Idea
I had so much fun reading this book that I handed it out as presents at a dinner party I just gave. All my friends who were there thought it was so clever and easy to read. Much better than doggie bags. I thought it was not only fun to read but didn't make me feel stupid for not knowing all that stuff. ... Read more

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This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: A.R. Elliott in 1902 in 55 pages; Subjects: Vaccination; Medical / Infectious Diseases; Medical / Epidemiology; Medical / Forensic Medicine; Medical / Immunology; Medical / Preventive Medicine; Medical / Public Health; ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Edward Jenner, FRS, (1749-1823) was an English scientist who studied his natural surroundings in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. He is often credited as the first doctor to introduce and study the smallpox vaccine. He trained in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire as an apprentice to John Ludlow, a surgeon, for eight years from the age of 14. In 1770 he went up to surgery and anatomy under the surgeon John Hunter and others at St George's, University of London. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1788, following a careful study combining observation, experiment and dissection into a description of the previously misunderstood life of the cuckoo in the nest. In 1792, he obtained his M. D. from the University of St Andrews. In 1803 in London he became involved with the Jennerian Institution, a society concerned with promoting vaccination to eradicate smallpox. In 1808, with government aid, this society became the National Vaccine Establishment. Jenner became a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Society on its foundation in 1805, and subsequently presented to them a number of papers. In 1823, he presented his Observations on the Migration of Birds to the Royal Society. ... Read more