Catharine Arnold's "Pandemic 1918: An Eyewitness Account of the Greatest Medical Tragedy in Modern History"

OmaOmaOma: Published in 2018, this book gives us a picture of how the poorly-understood Spanish flu was raging worldwide, and how little could be done to avoid getting it. The stories of numerous individuals who were stricken give it a human face that scientific books on the subject don’t provide.

Typical of how the disease came on quickly, and could kill within hours, in my family, the most poignant story of this time was an 18-year-old military wife taking her 5-month-old infant to meet her parents. On a train from Jacksonville, Florida, to Toccoa, Georgia, the mother was stricken with flu, and when the train arrived in her parents’ hometown, she was dead.

Had the author known what was on the horizon for 2020, Arnold's introduction wouldn’t have included these words: “Today, despite regular health scares about bird, flu, SARS, HIV and Ebola, it is difficult to envisage a scenario in which something as common as influenza could cause widespread illness and death….”

United States on Aug 04, 2023

Jerome Campbell: Very well written with a style that holds one’s attention. Sufficient detail without bogged-down in minutiae. A very enjoyable read, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

United States on May 20, 2023

D. Pifer: I really think they just have high school students read this book and do a report on it because it is that good of a book. I learned so much about the Spanish Flu Pandemic and how it started and ended. I think I read it in three days because I just couldn't put it down. The most chilling part of course is how similar the Spanish Flu Pandemic is to the COVID Pandemic. The only difference is we have the medicine and technology to help those fighting it whereas during the Spanish Flu they had nothing. It was just a very educational book that my son actually picked out as a gift for me for Christmas and was one of the best presents I have received in a long time. I like learning about history and I think this book can teach you a lot about a Pandemic and the brave souls who had to deal with it.

United States on Jan 28, 2022

A Customer: I’ve read many books about the 1918 H1N1 pandemic, most heavy with science. I’m always astounded by the lack of scientific knowledge and the paucity of medical care during the early 1900s. Whilst reading, I appreciated civilian anecdotes from the US and elsewhere. Reading this is surrealistic, because I’m looking back at 1918—from summer 2021 and the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid could’ve been slowed or ameliorated, if national and state “leaders” didn’t lie, politicize and/or make contrary decisions. Unlike 1917-18, we have a vaccine. Yet the unvaxxed are contributing to the near-collapse of our hospitals. Our true death toll in the US, estimated by some statisticians, is >900,000.

This book has less of a scientific slant than other books I’ve read, so it’s a quicker read. It gave me a worldwide view of the pandemic, which I wanted. I know about US and UK, but whilst reading this book, I was able to appreciate how fast the second wave fanned out and how lethal it was worldwide.

Recommended

United States on Sep 12, 2021

Amazon CustomerAmazon Customer: Love the book. Purchased it because I read it in e format but just wanted an actual copy for reference.
Very informative and relatable. Well written.
Unfortunately, the book binding has a fault at the back cover.
The only option is to return, and I want a replacement.

Canada on Jul 23, 2021

Patricia: Timely read. Well written.

Canada on Jan 24, 2021

Marie: will they ever learn?

Canada on Oct 26, 2020

Stanley: Catherine Arnold must have taken a long, long time to complete her book. A very large part of it is devoted to how the Spanish flu affected just regular people. She tells of how people suffered through the illness. How quickly it affected some, alive one day and gone the next. There are stories of whole families affected. Problems getting grave diggers and coffins. In short supply, coffins were sometimes stolen. And it seems the flu was more virulent than today's variety.

About a half way through the book though it gets a little tedious, though still the dear reader wonders how did Arnold find all this information? Still an excellent rendering and worth purchasing. A possible shortcoming is corrected in the book Pale Rider, published about the same time. Pale Rider give a better picture of the world wide impact of the flu, its spread, and long lasting effect while still giving some anecdotal information.

Typical paperback. Seems paper is getting poorer quality all the time but with a better than average cover. Not a book to keep as the paper will deteriorate. Still, a well researched book. That by itself should get it four stars.

United States on Jul 07, 2020

John S.: It really echoes what we are experiencing today. Front line people doing exceptional things and politicians and people in control often hiding and obscuring the facts. And the people who rise up for the challenge of helping others at great risk to themselves.

Canada on Jul 07, 2020

Murray Campbell: No analysis. Repetitive breathless descriptions. Disconnected. Had to put it down.

Canada on Jun 07, 2020