Rabid

A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus

By: Bill Wasik, Monica Murphy

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A maddened creature, frothing at the mouth, lunges at an innocent victim—and with a bite, transforms its prey into another raving monster. It’s a scenario that underlies our darkest tales of supernatural horror, but its power derives from a very real virus, a deadly scourge known to mankind from our earliest days. In this fascinating exploration, journalist Bill Wasik and veterinarian Monica Murphy chart four thousand years in the history, science, and cultural mythology of rabies.

The most fatal virus known to science, rabies kills nearly 100 percent of its victims once the infection takes root in the brain. A disease that spreads avidly from animals to humans, rabies has served as a symbol of savage madness and inhuman possession throughout history. Today, its history can help shed light on the wave of emerging diseases—from AIDS to SARS to avian flu—with origins in animal populations.

From Greek myths to zombie flicks, from the laboratory heroics of Louis Pasteur to the contemporary search for a lifesaving treatment, Rabid is a fresh, fascinating, and often wildly entertaining look at one of mankind’s oldest and most fearsome foes.

Bill Wasik is a senior editor at Wired magazine and was previously a senior editor at Harper’s, where he wrote on culture, media, and politics. He is the editor of the anthology Submersion Journalism and has also written for Oxford American, Slate, Salon, and McSweeney’s.

©2012 Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[An] ambitious and smart history of the virus…. The authors track how science tried to tame the scourge, with its ravaging neurological effects. Yet the rare tales of modern survivors only underscore that, despite the existence of treatment through a series of injections, we're at a stalemate in conquering rabies." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[Wasik and Murphy] place the world's deadliest virus in its historical and cultural context with a scientifically sound and compelling history that begins in ancient Mesopotamia and ends in twenty-first-century Bali…Readable, fascinating, informative, and occasionally gruesome, this is highly recommended for anyone interested in medical history or the cultural history of disease." ( Library Journal)

Not what I expected

Fascinating jaunt through history in an effort to uncover the impact of rabies on humanity. It’s art, science, pop culture all woven into a great listen. The narrator is enjoyable.

absolutely fascinating!

I listened to this on my 30 minute commute to and from work, and found myself VERY disappointed when I would arrive at my destination, because then I had to stop listening! the information laid out and the entertaining narration kept my attention raptly from start to finish.

there is something in Rabid for literally everyone. history, disease, medicine, folklore, biology, animals, in depth accounts of rabies case studies and epidemics! despite being 10 years old at the time of this review, the book still holds up as extremely educational.

I would highly recommend this audiobook for ANYONE interested in the mentioned topics, or even just anyone with an audible subscription. this is one of those rare finds that is completely 100% enrapturing.

Interesting, especially for one of the included audiobooks

However, narrator should polish accents before using them in a story. His attempt at an Australian accent was particularly painful

warning: Regis Philman reads this book

well written book. keep your attention with the fence as well as factual information. Interesting to say the least but the reader does sound a bit like Regis Philbin LOL

Interesting indeed

Not for the faint of heart at times, but very interesting and engaging! I had no idea there was such a history to the rabies virus. I’d recommend it.

Name says it all “World’s Most Diabolical Virus"

For me, this book brings to light a lot of information I never knew about rabies it is a very diabolical virus for sure.

The narrator did an excellent job and the book layout is good its very informative and is an interesting read all in all and worth a Credit. I gave it a 4 start overall but I rarely give 5 stars.

A look at literary and cultural history

What an interesting book. The authors take us on a trip through history by examining the origins of rabies and its impact on early societies. Then they present a interesting perspective how the disease has effected our imagination throughout our literary history through to current pop culture. Followed by a selection of stories which lend to the search for a cure to the diease. To wrap up the fascinating curtural and historical implications of the disease; they give a brief but informative history of the search for a cure and its impact on current and potentially the future of medicine.

An exploration of the facts and fictions of Rabies

This book goes into wonderful detail about the history rabies and is one of the best researched books on all its historical parts. It talks of Man's relationship with dogs, and how rabies played such a significant roll. It continues to explore the development of the vaccine, which reaches out into the invention of vaccines in general. It's well paced and packed with very interesting tidbits along the way. Ever wonder where the phrase "Hair of the dog that bit you" came from, you'll find that answer and much more in this wonderful book. I would have liked a better examination into the symptoms of this disease and specifics on how it affects the brain.
I highly recommend this for anyone with even a mild curiosity in zombies, werewolves, and the bond between man and beast. It's a great book for those who are fascinated by both modern day, and our humanities past.

A Most Fearsome Affliction

This description of the devastation wrought by the rabies virus traces the method of transmission from victim to victim and examines the pathology of destruction throughout the body of the host. We see that it has been with us from earliest days. Historically, the horrifying symptoms of the condition were often the first indication that the victim had been infected, sometimes many months after first exposure to the virus.

Even today, the rabies virus remains a killer. Once it has gained a foothold in the nervous system of the victim, there is no cure. There have been rare cases where intensive medical treatment throughout the course of the infection has saved the life of the patient, but serious complications endure long after the threat of death has passed. Only pre-emptive vaccination, or immediate post-exposure treatment can halt the relentless invasion and destruction of the central nervous system.

With thanks to Louis Pasteur.

Started Out With A Bang!

I thought the book was going to be a lot more about rabies and how it's been a force to be reckoned with throughout history. But, the author spends a lot more time speaking about mythical creations such as werewolves and vampires.

The book starts out with a lot of good scientific facts about rabies, but then the book drifts quite a bit throughout, with often times gruesome depictions and storytelling of the mythical werewolves and vampires.