An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Newbery Honor Book)
Product ID: 1693997
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Powerful and riveting, this Newbery Honor–winning narrative describes the illness known as yellow fever, the toll it took on the nation’s capital—and the eventual triumph over the disease. Long before Covid and the West Nile virus, yellow fever was a medical mystery that forced thousands in Philadelphia, the nation’s temporary capital, to flee and brought the workings of the federal government to a virtual halt. A riveting account of this country’s first large-scale medical epidemic, An American Plague is generously illustrated with archival prints and photographs and includes a bibliography, map, and index. This is the story of how half the city’s residents fled and half of those who remained died; neighboring towns, cities and states barricaded themselves; George Washington himself fled, setting off a constitutional crisis; and bloodletting caused blood to run through the streets. It is also the story of a little known chapter in Black history in which free Blacks nursed the sick only to be later condemned for their heroic efforts. Meticulously researched, first-hand accounts, newspaper clippings, death lists, and period engravings recreate the fear and panic while exploring the political, social, cultural, medical and scientific history of the times. A final chapter explores the causes of the epidemic and provides a wake-up call about the potential for epidemics today. Newbery Honor Book * National Book Award Finalist * Winner of the Sibert Medal Review: An Excellent Model for Writers of History - Sometimes I find it useful to grab a "youth" book if my interest is attracted to a particular topic. While I'd never heard of Jim Murphy, the price was certainly right. However, having finished this book, I am REALLY glad I got it. Many of the other reviewers have praised his writing style, making history seem more like a tale than a tome. I agree, and will leave that area of praise for others. I see no point in "Me too" redundancy -- or simply let this statement do that. "Yeah, what they said..." One thing I wanted to address is how Murphy demonstrates good historical work for his young readers. Even in a "youth" book, he shows the importance of using original period material by USING it. In addition to the facts of the plague, the reader gets an idea of HOW TO DO HISTORY by reading this book. Murphy teaches something of the historian's art. He doesn't include a "biliography" in the most formal sense of the word. He has an excellent list of sources which are described for the young reader. A student could peruse those pages and get a feel for the type of thing a historian looks for in his research ... and why! Teachers should grab this book for use with their students (I taught high school for eight years, myself, and found teaching the methods of research one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, topics I addressed with my students.) This book is an excellent model. And, yes, I learned something about the 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic and its effects on Philadelphia (and, owing to the city's status as the US Capital, how it affected much of the country and created Constitutional issues, as a large-scale crisis often can, and how those are resolved.) Now, on to Molly Crosby's book about the plague's effects on Memphis! Review: Well done! - This will make a great reference book. I can see it as a start to a 5th or 6th grade research paper.
| Best Sellers Rank | #50,595 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #33 in Children's American Local History #38 in Children's General Social Science Books #49 in Children's American History of 1800s |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 437 Reviews |
R**N
An Excellent Model for Writers of History
Sometimes I find it useful to grab a "youth" book if my interest is attracted to a particular topic. While I'd never heard of Jim Murphy, the price was certainly right. However, having finished this book, I am REALLY glad I got it. Many of the other reviewers have praised his writing style, making history seem more like a tale than a tome. I agree, and will leave that area of praise for others. I see no point in "Me too" redundancy -- or simply let this statement do that. "Yeah, what they said..." One thing I wanted to address is how Murphy demonstrates good historical work for his young readers. Even in a "youth" book, he shows the importance of using original period material by USING it. In addition to the facts of the plague, the reader gets an idea of HOW TO DO HISTORY by reading this book. Murphy teaches something of the historian's art. He doesn't include a "biliography" in the most formal sense of the word. He has an excellent list of sources which are described for the young reader. A student could peruse those pages and get a feel for the type of thing a historian looks for in his research ... and why! Teachers should grab this book for use with their students (I taught high school for eight years, myself, and found teaching the methods of research one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, topics I addressed with my students.) This book is an excellent model. And, yes, I learned something about the 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic and its effects on Philadelphia (and, owing to the city's status as the US Capital, how it affected much of the country and created Constitutional issues, as a large-scale crisis often can, and how those are resolved.) Now, on to Molly Crosby's book about the plague's effects on Memphis!
L**I
Well done!
This will make a great reference book. I can see it as a start to a 5th or 6th grade research paper.
B**W
Great for adults, too!
I never would have ordered this when it was published in 2004, but I found it extremely timely today (May 2020.) Clear and well written, lots of very interesting facts, and a pleasing format. Each chapter is faced with a reproduction of a newspaper page from the time period, so you can read about contemporary ideas and concerns. Lots of pictures of people and places mentioned. Early in the book, there is a comprehensive, but not ghoulish, description of the progress of the disease which may alarm younger children, but it is not belabored. It will give you a lot to discuss with your family and friends.
M**E
EXCELLENT.
As a teacher, I cannot tell you the number of times I have paired this book with others (specifically "Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson....also HIGHLY recommend) and recommended it to my students. It consistently never fails in its intrigue to them in terms of content and written design. The kids always seem to find it fascinating and what more timely reading experience could be offered than during the current global Pandemic we are experiencing?! I recommend this to the fullest. It is wonderfully written, appealing, and will be certain to fill your/your student's head with factual representations of a fascinating period in our history!
R**N
It was frightening because it described in detail the symptoms of yellow fever and explained how easily it was transmitted
This book was quite interesting and spell binding. And frightening! It was frightening because it described in detail the symptoms of yellow fever and explained how easily it was transmitted. However, I did some research on yellow fever and it is not nearly as fatal or as easily spread as the author indicates. The authors indicated the disease has a high death rate but the CDC indicates some people don't even realize they have it! The book does highlight the need for our country to contain the mosquito population and continue to work on a better protocol for treatment.
J**N
We LOVE Jim Murphy!
We have enjoyed Jim's books for well over a decade, and American Plague is no exception. His unsurpassed ability to bring history to life has transfixed our children as young as 2, creating another generation of history lovers! An American Plague retells the horrifying events of the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in grisly detail. It is an exciting portrayal of a somber event in our national history, which helped us better understand the full impact of this tragedy and disease. Using a combination of first-person accounts, alongside fascinating historical narration, truly brings the story alive. Each book we read from Mr. Murphy becomes an immediate favorite, and we consider it a privilege that such an author continues to write and share his incomparable gift with us.
D**.
Good for history buffs
Gift for my history-loving teenage son. Can’t give five stars because he hasn’t read it yet
J**E
Easy to read
I needed this book for a last minute assignment for a course. It arrived quick and it saved me money as it was cheaper than buying from the school bookstore. The writing is easy to read and the illustrations are great which makes reading about a difficult subject much easier to read and get through.
K**E
A great book explaining the fear of Yellow Fever
This should be essential reading for all that are interested in Travel/Tropical medicine. This book clearly demonstrates the fear and far reaching consequences caused by this disease. The last chapter brings the research up to date of publication. I do feel that a paragraph about the World Health Organisation's Yellow Fever certificate mandate could have been included. A great, interesting read.
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