In this meticulously researched and ultimately explosive new book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Coming ...
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reviews
Jun 25, 2007
Borrowed a copy from the Upper Hudson Library System, but it had been read so much it fell apart. Later this year I'd like to borrow a copy or buy one.
I heard Laurie Garrett on the radio talking about how a simulation of a flu epidemic in NYC would overwhelm every bed in every hospital all the way upstate, necessitating treating people at home. She said it would be like a Hurricane Katrina hitting every major city at once.
At the time I heard her on the radio, I was a few More...
I heard Laurie Garrett on the radio talking about how a simulation of a flu epidemic in NYC would overwhelm every bed in every hospital all the way upstate, necessitating treating people at home. She said it would be like a Hurricane Katrina hitting every major city at once.
At the time I heard her on the radio, I was a few More...
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Sep 13, 2008
Rebecca
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I have a great deal of respect for Laurie Garrett's work. She is an incredibly talented journalist who has sounded the alarm on numerous public health crises. This book helped to raise awareness about a number of emerging public health issues and is generally very readable. That being said, it needed a good editor. The editing is, generally, incredibly sloppy. Quotes are repeated, large sections of paragraphs are repeated, and sections do not always flow. I was really psyched to read this
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Feb 04, 2008
Kevin J.
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A chilling account of the collapse of public health throughout the world, and the potential ramifications for the future of the human race. Garrett is a first-rate journalist, and this book reads like a detective story--fast-paced, dramatic, full of action and suspense--while at the same time sticking closely to the facts and conclusions rendered by the best professionals in the field. A moving book and a call to action; I've been a card-carrying member of Medecins sans Frontieres since the da
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Sep 25, 2007
Manderson
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This is the book that shifted my political views from anarchy into the recognition that centralized forms of governance are essential for such services as public health. This book is somewhat of a frightening read in that it suddenly makes you realize that mankind is not only being threatened environmentally and by terrorism and warfare, but much more imminently through disease and the surge of new anti-biotic resistant microbes. An eye-opener, for sure, and definitely worth working through this
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Dec 22, 2011
Roswitha
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This book really give an understanding about real life case of epidemic diseases. Epidemic diseases usually happens in the third world countries or a country that has several problem politically and economically. I only read first two chapter of the book and several pages from the third chapter but it really gives me many sight about epidemic diseases.
In the first chapter about Yersinia pestis and how people in Surat, India try to manage about it. It was really surprising when the bulb More...
In the first chapter about Yersinia pestis and how people in Surat, India try to manage about it. It was really surprising when the bulb More...
Dec 15, 2007
Molly
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A compelling and rather depressing series of articles on the state of global public health. Not a pretty picture. But Laurie Garrett is an insightful and engaging writer, so it's fascinating, if disheartening.
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Feb 25, 2009
Rosemary
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This book was extremely difficult to read in that the crisis she describes seems almost hopeless. I had read her book, The Coming Plague and it was scary in point out our lack of preparation and the dwindling supply of money and support given by our then Republican government.
I am hopeful that now that we have chosen Barack Obama that the greatness of our country will rise and we, as a people, will decide to again subscribe to the notion that a nation is only as great as the way it More...
I am hopeful that now that we have chosen Barack Obama that the greatness of our country will rise and we, as a people, will decide to again subscribe to the notion that a nation is only as great as the way it More...
Mar 10, 2009
Tish
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It is a wake up call to read this book. When you look at the global picture of health-- really the leading indicator of successful societies-- there are many interconnected themes. And America is not a leader anymore in global health let alone national health. As Ms. Garrett had outline in The Coming Plague, don't think that you can hide away and avoid what is happening around the globe. Any disease is a plane ride away. And, with all the changes to ecosystems, poor public health management, pas
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Nov 16, 2009
Sweetman
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I read this book while I was waiting for "The Coming Plague" to be returned to the library and it was worth it. Her research is in-depth and informative. This, in retrospect, was more informative and interesting than the book I was looking for. This is why I love libraries, I would have simply bought my intended book and not found this.
Jan 10, 2010
Stacy
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Exhaustive report on the threats to our collective well-being, by the journalist who also wrote The Coming Plague. Not as good as The Coming Plague, but still worth the time, particularly if interested in international public health.
Mar 08, 2009
Max
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Well-written, good overview of some of the world's recent public health crises. Good reporting, but doesn't really propose solutions other than saying that we need to spend more money on global public health.
Oct 28, 2009
Kate
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Laurie Garrett is amazing. If you have even a remote interest in health issues, read this and The Coming Plague. She puts things in great context, with a lot of detail.
May 28, 2011
Ahmar
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I'll admit, didn't read this mammoth of a work from front-to-back. It makes up for being a bit sensational by being well-researched. The chapter "Preferring anarchy and class disparity" makes the book worthwhile. However, I think Garrett falls on the wrong side of the argument in the chapter "Biowar." The natural ecology of infectious diseases--take influenza, for example--warrant preparedness that can be backed by demonstrated, scientific evidence. Therefore, there is no
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Jul 13, 2009
Steve
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Our local and natioanl governemnts may be failing us according to this policy analyst. Excellent read and insight given the recent interest in H1N1.
Aug 22, 2010
Ash
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The book feels a bit dated. I wish they'd come out wig a second edition that revisits global public health in a post-9/11, post-2004 tsunami world.
The author clearly did her research, and as a catalogue of public health failings in the last 20-30 years it is useful. However, her suggested fixes at times felt shallow and I thought she didn't pay quite enough attention to the political and national-identity aspects of the issue.
That said, it is a solid introduction to the vari More...
The author clearly did her research, and as a catalogue of public health failings in the last 20-30 years it is useful. However, her suggested fixes at times felt shallow and I thought she didn't pay quite enough attention to the political and national-identity aspects of the issue.
That said, it is a solid introduction to the vari More...
Jan 01, 2012
Frederick
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I started this book, but it just seemed too depressing to work my way through.
Sep 24, 2007
Jessica
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I read this book while in grad school, partially for a project on the public health system in post-communism Russia. It is fascinating, and extremely well written. My only complaint is that I found some inaccuracies (or at least statements which differed from other sources I read) in the section about the former USSR. That being said, this is still a very worthwhile and eye-opening read for those interested in International Health Matters. I hope Ms. Garrett writes more on this topic, because
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Apr 03, 2007
Paula K
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Garrett discusses how non-potable water, environmental pollutants, preventable infections and diseases, and other ills of mankind which effective public health practices can prevent are factors in economic collapse. Sounds very dull. It ain't. It's frustrating, heartbreaking to the point of madness. Clean air, clean water and enough food, facilities for personal hygiene and treatment of disease--this is not complicated stuff to provide. Yet thousands of people die every day from lack of these s
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Jun 03, 2009
Mark
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Although 50% longer than it needed to be, this book is a fascinating and chilling overview of the increasing public health risks facing the world -- many of which are side effects of current medical practices.
May 07, 2010
Russ
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Interesting read on how public health care concerns us all, and what the government's responsibility should be and why. It changed my views on the whole subject of Universal Public health care, I now understand some important reasons it needs to be seriously considered. Well written, though she takes a lot of small text on big pages to relay her message. Good read, just don't expect to finish it in one go
Jun 22, 2008
Rachel
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This is a great read for those interested in public health, international health, and biosecurity. Although painfully long - and long winded at times - the series of articles ranging from the plague in India to ebola in the Congo and from TB in Russia to health security in the USA are very interesting and thought provoking.
Oct 06, 2007
Bridget
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This book is huge, but well written and researched. It talks about how challenges facing our public health systems have changed, highlighting recent threats. Scary stuff. If you read it, set aside some time, it's long and very detailed.
Feb 19, 2008
Rich
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Fast paced and scary... a little dated, but I don't think much has changed in the public health sector. Sure makes you think twice about world and national priorities
May 13, 2008
Janet
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One of my favourite subjects, and everyone should read, but long and meandering. One reviewer on this site: "for public health nerds." Guess that's me.
Oct 27, 2008
Nicole
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Scary as hell, but an eye-opening view of just how much the global public health system can handle...and what it may need to be able to handle.
Nov 03, 2009
Maureen
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Though this book is almost ten years old it remains a compelling story of how public health is compromised and why we should care.
Aug 03, 2008
Elphabaj21
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Sobering read. Read the book to find out why I think parents who choose to not vaccinate their children are selfish.
