Fever 1793
Ratings81
Average rating3.8
I did not know anything about the Yellow Fever outbreak before reading this book. This book was an exceptional telling of how the fever ripped through Philadelphia and what surviving the fever may have been like, both for adults, who may have been strong workers but became weak with side effects after infection, and children who may have been left orphaned or who couldn't find their parents after surviving. It was a good story regarding epidemiology and how our knowledge evolves as we receive more information the longer we study infection.
The telling of the fever epidemic is very informative, but by no means dry or technical. The author paints a colorful picture of old Philadelphia and the historical figures included in the storytelling come to life once again. It's great to be reminded of how far we've come in terms of medical advancement. The remedies and medicines considered to be effective in that time are shocking. I love how in the epilogue the author describes some of the tools, medicines, etc. that today's reader may not be familiar with. A little book packed with lots of info and great storytelling.
This was a great, quick read about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793. Thr historical aspects are spot-on. The story itself is lukewarm. We know she likes the boy because we are told she does. Everything is told, nothing is demonstrated.
Ehhhh I read this after I read [b:An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 46727 An American Plague The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 Jim Murphy http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170343104s/46727.jpg 45822] (both assigned for class; I'm not suddenly obsessed with yellow fever or anything) and this wasn't as richly detailed or compelling as the nonfiction story. The protagonist also felt fairly anachronistic.
The scene at the tea... BRILLIANT. It's funny, but really not. I'd LOVE to see it acted out. My favorite part of the book hands down.