The Great Influenza

The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

By: John M. Barry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 19 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In the winter of 1918, at the height of World War I, history's most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years, more in a year than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision between modern science and epidemic disease.

Magisterial in its breadth of perspective and depth of research, The Great Influenza weaves together multiple narratives, with characters ranging from William Welch, founder of the Johns Hopkins Medical School, to John D. Rockefeller and Woodrow Wilson. Ultimately a tale of triumph amid tragedy, this crisis provides us with a precise and sobering model as we confront the epidemics looming on our own horizon.

©2004, 2005 John M. Barry (P)2006 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Monumental...powerfully intelligent...not just a masterful narrative...but also an authoritative and disturbing morality tale." (Chicago Tribune)

"Easily our fullest, richest, most panoramic history of the subject." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Hypnotizing, horrifying, energetic, lucid prose...." (Providence Observer)

If COVID 19 is anything like this we're screwed

Not sure why I chose to read this now but I'm glad I did. This was the book I was hoping for. It covers the science, politics, culture and psychology of a pandemic. What we're dealing with right now is a walk in the park compared to the Spanish flu of 1918.

Great book on the Influenza Virus!

I really enjoyed listening to this story. The author started out explaining the state of medical knowledge and medical training by doctors and scientists in America in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, so we could understand why the Influenza virus had the impact it did. He also explained the political state of America as it approached entering WW1. I highly recommend this book for any that are interested in learning about the influenza pandemic and the possibilities of this happening again in the future.
The narrator, Scott Brick, did and excellent job narrating this story.

History Repeats Itself 2020

This book is pretty technical but explains so much about what is happening now during the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak. The US government failed us in 1918 just as it has in 2020. Too bad we don't seem to learn from past mistakes. Again, honesty is always the best policy. The US government should try it.. This book is a must read.

Rockefeller is unique in the world

Fter years at Rockefeller, first as a postdoc then as as an associate, this book captures the excitement of institution. The absolutely unique scientific environment at Rockefeller and the benefits of an open structure are apparent. The ability to have the time and resources to pursue tough questions is still apparent.

Good reading for such a complex topic

Reading this during the Covid-19 pandemic was informative and spectacularly chilling.
There is a lot of information and it warrants another read through.

A very important book

Great insights into the history and development of medicine, the impact of the 1918 pandemic, and what all this means for today and fit pandemics of the near future.

It can happen here, because it did happen here

Looking at the title, one would be excused if they thought this book was just a retelling of the horrors of a plague that swept the world, but it's much more. The book also details the transformation of medicine from an art to a science. The practice of science is not the possession of knowledge, its the pursuit of knowledge in the darkness of ignorance, as well, in this case, the shadow of death touching those around them, and in some instances, the researchers themselves. This book is also a lesson, those in public health fear influenza more than any other disease since another pandemic like the one in 1918 is just a matter of time.

Mixed bag.

The story itself was interesting and illuminating. However, the narration grated on me for the entire book. It was like he was speaking IN ALL CAPS ALL THE TIME. IT WAS VERY URGENT AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE SOME CONTRAST BETWEEN THE PARTICULARLY HORRIFYING PARTS AND THE PARTS THAT WEREN'T SO MUCH. OR MAYBE EVEN BETWEEN WORDS IN THE SAME SENTENCE. See? Annoying.

Influenza. But not just Influenza.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Great Influenza to be better than the print version?

Its hard to say. There was plenty of science that I might prefer to have seen in print, but this audio version is not hugely inferior.

Would you be willing to try another book from John M. Barry? Why or why not?

Sure. Its mainly just facts, so his job as a narrator is likely easier, but he did well.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the book actually got to the pandemic. Every moment was exciting. Its not a part of history that gets mentioned, but I could feel the fear and confusion that must have blanketed the country.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I'd say the moment where they mention how the virus hit those outside society. Those that don't have the same immunities. It was heart wrenching. Especially with the Eskimos.

Any additional comments?

The book started out great. The background had great depth, and was definitely informative and interesting, but it was also leading. So much emphasis was put on a very influential man named Welch that I thought he'd be a major player in helping. He was not.

Then, after writing of the pandemic, there was more information that seemed to be mini biographies that had only the loosest of connections to the influenza. I appreciated the information, but that did not mean it did not seem out of place.

More relevant today than ever

Written more than a decade ago this book cautions about what is happening in 2020 because ofvthe governments lack of preparedness. Should be required reading by everyone on captal hill. Details failures that occurred 100 years ago just like today
Written for the non-medical it details medical terms in great detail to the lay-person. As a physician I found it too wordy. Excellent detailed coverage of the pandemic of 1918