Book Description

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

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

Customer Reviews (1)

Another good book from the American Adventure series.
This is the seventh book in The American Adventure series. This series tells about the lives of children from many generations of a fictional family throughout American history, from the settling of Plymouth by the Pilgrims through the end of World War II.

It's the spring of 1721 in Boston, and eleven-year-old Rob Allerton has problems. He would like to study to be an apothecary with his good friend, Dr. Boylston. However, his wealthy stepfather, Josiah Foy, has forced Rob to become an apprentice at his shipping business. In addition, Rob is constantly fighting with his stepbrother, Thomas, who resents Rob and is constantly teasing their little sister, Rachel. But soon these problems begin to seem trivial, when a deadly outbreak of smallpox hits Boston. Dr. Bolyston wants to give people an experimental inoculation he believes protects against the disease, but Rob's stepfather forbids anyone in the family to get one. Can Rob persuade his stepfather to change his mind before it's too late?

This was another good book from the American Adventure series. Rob was a sympathetic character, the story was interesting, and I enjoyed the colonial setting. Readers who enjoyed the other books in the American Adventure series will definitely want to read this one as well. I also recommend it to readers who are new to the series and are interested in this time period in history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Better than nothing
I was annoyed that Pontiac's Rebellion was not mentioned in this book, but Diamond doesn't start talking about smallpox until the 1830s.

I think the presentation of American Indian History here is a little weird.On the timeline (page 7) are such events as A.D.476: Fall of the Roman Empire, 1096-1219: Crusades, where you're like, "And this is revelant because...?"Others either trivialize Indians or are borderline offense. ("1621 Pilgrims celebrate first Thanksgiving with Indians at Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1991: Movie Dances With Wolves engages millions of Americans in the historical plight of the Indians' treatment by US government").Are these the events that Indians would put on a timeline of their own history?

I am surprised that SLJ calls this book fair and objective.The term "squaw" is used throughout the history whenever the author is referring to a woman, and men are "braves."Throughout the book, Indians are blamed for their own deaths, and whites are portrayed as their wise protectors.Indians died because they were stupid or greedy.To me, it was a little like Jerry Falwell or whoever it was saying that gay people got AIDS because they were sinners.

I would give this book one star, but unfortunately, there isn't a lot published on this subject that is accessible for juveniles. ... Read more

Book Description
A timely book about history's first desperate efforts to conquer the spotted beast of smallpox.

What is it like to be caught in the terror and chaos of a smallpox epidemic when you and those you love are unprotected? What is it like to get smallpox, or to watch your children battle the disease?

The Speckled Monster tells the dramatic story-both historical and timely-of two parents who dared to fight back against the disease. After barely surviving the agony of smallpox themselves, they both flouted eighteenth-century European medical tradition by borrowing folk knowledge from African slaves and eastern women in frantic bids to protect their children. From their heroic struggles stem the modern science of immunology as well as the vaccinations that remain our only hope should the disease ever be unleashed again.

Jennifer Lee Carrell transports readers back to the early eighteenth century to tell the tales of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Dr. Zabdiel Boylston: two iconoclastic figures who helped save the cities of London and Boston from the deadliest disease mankind has known. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Couldn't put it down
Maybe it's because I have a degree in both history and English, but this book suited my taste perfectly, and I was surprised at the negative reviews.I picked up the book and finished it in two days because I couldn't put it down.Ms. Carrell has made the tale read like a historical whodunit.I read her chapter, then her endnotes.If you like historical fiction and you also like historical nonfiction, I think you would enjoy this book.

medicine vs politics
Not since Laurie Garret's THE COMING PLAGUE have I enjoyed a book more.The detail of the research is tremendous and the story it tells-- of a medical breakthrough for the western world despite politics, racism and ignorance is fascinating.It is so easy to lose sight of the true terror caused by this disease.Carrell's work brings it to life.

Too Much Fluff
Jennifer Carrell is a gifted writer, but she misjudged the approach to rendering what should have been a fascinating topic. The book should have been 100 pages shorter. I got halfway through and gave up; I refuse to spend that much time reading through so much irrelevant and/or fabricated extraneous filler.

Eye-opening... historically fascinating....but.....
The book has a great story to tell... but, I wish Ms. Carrell had written it more clearly..

I find myself jumping around, skipping boring, antiquated writing passages to get to the real historic juice of this story.

I know Ms. Carrell is a scholar, but I think even scholars can (and have) written passionate books without sinking in to intellectual drudgery.

This book plods along.. I want to know things.. and I have to wade through a lot of rhetoric to get there.

I will get to the end of this book.. but, I wish the author had written it without the 18th century drudgery. Wow, this book is hard to get through..But, I am hungry for the info.. so, I'll carry on.

Interesting but...
Overall, this book is rather interesting. However, there are some aspects of the book that I think are poor and I am surprised that others failed to mention them.

First, we'll start off with the negetive aspects. First and foremost, the book dips in and out from intimate nearness to the characters to cold, infomational-type explaining. I generally feel little toward the characters and am impatient with the inconsistancy. Carrell seems to have trouble with balancing fascinating, animated narrating and dry narration.

Also, her organization is lacking. The weaving of story and information of the era etc proves clumsy and rough. Though never really confusing, it is often inconvenient to the reader. I enjoy the historical, informational parts, I simply wish they were better integrated into the overall story.

The last negetive aspect is her akward grammer. I noticed an alarming amount of improper or incorrect sentences. It doesn't harm in the way of conveying the message, but it often stumbles the reader and forces them to re-read and ponder over the mistakes.

On to the positive aspects. This book is quite fascinating, to put it bluntly. I have read many medical novels or accounts on smallpox, but this is the first historical novel I have been lucky enough to read. It is rife with historical information (obviously), such as the royalty at the time, who died of smallpox that is of importance to the story, conditions at that time, fasion, etc. I am pleased at her attempt to relay the infomation in an interesting, colorful way by making it into a tale instead of a simply narration. It is also unique in that it presents two different individuals' history of smallpox.

Not only is it interesting, but hey, it provides photos. Pictures are always nice, and show smallpox in sickening detail. Various other pictures of people in that era, a map, etc also grace the center of the book. It allows the reader to visualize the people and disease realistically.

Overall, this book is interesting, sound, and informational. Her writing abilities leave something to be wanted, but the content overrules a bad rating. Had Carrell a better editor or had she been a better writer, this book would have been absolutely fantastic. Instead, I reget having to curse the book with less that a perfect score of three stars. I recommend it to anyone interested in 1700s' history or smallpox. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Interesting Look Into Early Scientific Methodology
I'm always in awe of the great science pioneers that have gone before us. This brief book provides a peak into the thoughts and methods of one of those pioneers. As long as the reader keeps in mind the literary style ofthe time as well as the level of maturity of scientific experimentation,they will find this book to be inspiring and useful. I especially recommendthis book to future scientists and those interested in the history ofscience. ... Read more

Book 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.Download 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 (1)

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

Book Description
In 1796, an unknown country doctor named Edward Jenner developed and administered the world's first vaccine-turning the tide in humanity's age-old war against disease.

Award-winning author Albert Marrin explains the significance of "immortal" Jenner's gift to mankind as he narrates the epic story of smallpox, a disease so contagious and deadly it has dramatically influenced the course of history. From the mummified remains of its first known victim to the sinister threat of the "frozen monster" that lurks in the vials of ultramodern laboratories, readers will be held spellbound by this readable and timely combination of science and history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A thrilling story told clearly with sophistication for a 4th-8th grader.
Before reading this book I might have written that I was informed about Dr. Jenner, smallpox and its history. After reading it I realize how ignorant I was. I saw the book in my grandson's school library and chose it to preview for bias and the interpretations that frequently replace knowledge in today's children's books.

The author, a retired history professor, has written a book that begins with a discussion of cells,bacterial and virual disease and ends with a convincing statement about the dangers facing us today as a result of the disappearance of small pox throughout the world.

In between is the most thrilling story about the efforts of an ordinary boy who became a man whose efforts positively altered the lives of hundreds of millions of people.His personal qualities were a curious mind; the ability to observe; his dedication to his work; his confidence; and perserverance.

The reader learns of the treatment of small pox prior to Jenner; of the various experiments leading to the development of the vaccination; of the objections by recognized leaders to Jenner's work and the ramifications of the eradication of smallpox.

This is a thrilling story for the young scientist, but the book is written so well that all children (and adults) will be enthralled.

Dr. Jenner is shown to be one of a handful of men who have altered the course of history and the lives of hundreds of millions of humans. The discussion of disease; medical techniques of the past; how one became a physician; historical differences between surgeons and physicians; the nature of opposition to ideas; the development of an idea; the personal characteristics that result in radical change; the importance of observation, thought and experimentation; the reality that the recognized establishment in an occupation is often ignorant and resistant to change are all presented in an engrossing and unsensational manner.

The social effects (Native American exposure to small pox) are presented in a straight forward manner allowing a thoughtful child to open his mind to the concept of historical consequences without imposing blame or guilt.

The discussion of medical experimentation; its evolution and ethical problems provide knowledge to a child that will be used later when a child reads and thinks further.

I so admire the authors use of language and ability to discuss complicated issues on a child's level with sophisticated insight that I am buying other of Dr. Marrin's books.

Excellent Book!
This was a remarkable book.The author was able to explain microbiology, immunology, the history of smallpox, and the development of a vaccine with wonderful clarity.I highly recommend this book for kids (and adults) in 4th grade and up! ... Read more

Book Description
"The most terrible of all the ministers of death."Thomas Macauley Mozart, Voltaire, Elizabeth I and Abraham Lincoln all had it--and survived. Millions did not. The scourge of smallpox affected rich and poor alike, killing many and disfiguring the rest. 'Cures' included bleeding, purging, oil of scorpions and even crabs' eyes. Edward Jenner's breakthrough in 1796 started the slow, often controversial, process of controlling the virus. By 1979 smallpox had become the first-ever disease to be eradicated. Yet, today, its possible use in biological warfare presents a major threat. This is an accessible account of the history, and possible future, of a terrifying disease. Ian Glynn is Professor of Physiology Emeritus at Cambridge University and Fellow of Trinity College. He is the author of An Anatomy of Thought (Oxford, 2000).Jenifer Glynn is a Cambridge historian and author of Tidings from Zion (Tauris, 2000). ... Read more

Book Description
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 (2)

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

Book Description
In the United States, routine smallpox vaccination ended in 1972. The level of immunity remaining in the U.S. population is uncertain, but is generally assumed to be quite low. Smallpox is a deadly and infectious pathogen with a fatality rate of 30 percent. If smallpox were successfully deployed as an agent of bioterrorism today, the public health and economic consequences could be devastating.

Toward a Containment Strategy for Smallpox Bioterror describes the scientific results and policy implications of a simulation of a smallpox epidemic in a two-town county. The model was developed by an interdisicplinary team from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Brookings Institution Center on Social and Economic Dynamics, employing agent-based and other advanced computational techniques. Such models are playing a critical role in the crafting of a national strategy for the containment of smallpox by providing public health policymakers with a variety of novel and feasible approaches to vaccination and isolation under different circumstances. The extension of these techniques to the containment of emerging pathogens, such as SARS, is discussed. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A BRILLIANT TREATISE ON HISTORY AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION
Historian Ann Janetta has taken the stories of the conquest of smallpox, one of the worst plagues of humanity until Edward Jenner invented vaccination, and the story of a nation living in splendid isolation, and woven the two into a fascinating tale.I was totally unaware of the way in which efforts to introduce cowpox into Japan (a frustratingly slow process) helped prepare that nation to vault onto the world stage following the Meiji restoration.This volume is more than a wonderful exercise in historical scholarship, as it should serve as a goldmine for those interested in cultural evolution.It reflects on such key topics as the importance of individuals and networks in promoting that evolution, as well as the promoting and retarding functions of institutions.It clearly shows, in the spirit of Montesquieu and Jared Diamond, the way features of the natural world -- in this case a highly lethal virus, a related virus that was difficult to transport, and a nation occupying an isolated archipelago -- can influence human affairs as much as any king or president.Besides being a gold mine for those interested in Japanese history or in understanding cultural evolution, it's just plain engrossing.Janetta has done us all a great favor. ... Read more

Book 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 (7)

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.

It was a sweet book and it was full of information.
This book was fun to read and it was really easy to get a book report out of. ... Read more

Book Description