The Great Influenza, by John M. Barry. Parts II & III: The Swarm & The Tinderbox
"The Swarm," about the probable origin of the pandemic (Kansas) and the biology and mechanics of viruses, and parts of "The Tinderbox," about America's entry into WWI and the propaganda machine and censorship to support that, made me realize why this is a well-regarded book. The section on viruses is very clear, and a lot of the history is compelling. I understand that there are competing theories for the origin of the pandemic but he lays out a convincing case for Kansas.
I'm baffled by why Barry chose instead to start the book with the ponderous chapter on William Welch given that all we really need to know was that Johns Hopkins was important... no, wait, I totally understand why Barry chose to do that:
At the top sat Welch, fully the impresario, capable of changing the lives of those upon whom his glance lingered, capable as well of directing great sums of money to an institution with a nod. Only he held such power in American science, and no one else has held such power since.
Get a room, Barry.
He continues to go on and on about the amazing! greatness! of the amazing Great White Men. It's particularly noticeable in his section on nursing, where he clearly states the problems nurses faced due to sexist doctors and the importance of the almost entire female nurses... but does not give any nurses the amazing! great! individual treatment. The most any of them get is one paragraph explaining why they were important and calling them "intelligent." As opposed to the bazillion quotes and analysis and praise the men get.
Reading the facts presented, I'm less struck by how wow! extraordinary! the individual dudes were, and more by the staggering obstinacy and stupidity of the government, medical establishment, military, and all large powerful organizations in general (yes Barry, Johns Hopkins excepted). Literally every time anyone tries to do anything for public health, there's enormous opposition. The more things change...
The section on censorship, propaganda, and racism in WWI is alarming given what's going on in America now; the more things change...
The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History[image error]
[image error] [image error]
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I'm baffled by why Barry chose instead to start the book with the ponderous chapter on William Welch given that all we really need to know was that Johns Hopkins was important... no, wait, I totally understand why Barry chose to do that:
At the top sat Welch, fully the impresario, capable of changing the lives of those upon whom his glance lingered, capable as well of directing great sums of money to an institution with a nod. Only he held such power in American science, and no one else has held such power since.
Get a room, Barry.
He continues to go on and on about the amazing! greatness! of the amazing Great White Men. It's particularly noticeable in his section on nursing, where he clearly states the problems nurses faced due to sexist doctors and the importance of the almost entire female nurses... but does not give any nurses the amazing! great! individual treatment. The most any of them get is one paragraph explaining why they were important and calling them "intelligent." As opposed to the bazillion quotes and analysis and praise the men get.
Reading the facts presented, I'm less struck by how wow! extraordinary! the individual dudes were, and more by the staggering obstinacy and stupidity of the government, medical establishment, military, and all large powerful organizations in general (yes Barry, Johns Hopkins excepted). Literally every time anyone tries to do anything for public health, there's enormous opposition. The more things change...
The section on censorship, propaganda, and racism in WWI is alarming given what's going on in America now; the more things change...
The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History[image error]
[image error] [image error]
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