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)

start with the afterward, then start

I read this book because so many people were quoting it during our present time and it was better than worth it

more relevant than ever

Great infornation, much of it would seem like a news report from today. Many lessons to learn.

Eye opening vulnerability!!

I was fascinated and horrified by the realities of the 1918 influenza! How far we've come in 100 years...yet stil a virus can hold the world hostage. Very interesting and eye opening book.

Great story of a horrid time.

Looks like we have learned nothing in 101 years. Same dishonest media loaded with political hacks and a buearcracy full of fools. 2020 pandemic

Should be required reading in high school history classes!

Detailed, well-written, and well read. Many parallels to where I sit today in Oct. 2020. Actually, should be required reading for politicians and press as well.

interesting and relevant

This book provides a lot of detail. My only criticism is that it left out who and how the agent of the pandemic was discovered. It details research that did not lead to any conclusions but not how we came to our current understanding which baffles me. Many of the concluding points are validated with the current pandemic.

Excellent...and extremely relevant today

John Barry has written a comprehensive account of the 1918 Flu pandemic. It is interesting to compare the differences and the similarities to our current COVID-19 Pandemic. Very well written, it is hard to put down. Readers may draw different conclusions when comparing the reactions of government, medical professionals, The media, and people in 1918 to 2020, but it is fascinating to listen to. Scott Brick’s narration, as always, is flawless.

Good book. Too bad our government didn’t read it.

This book provided a good over view of the pandemic of 1918 and its impacts. The beginning parts are a bit long but they convey the status of medicine and what was know about the causes of illness which sets the stage for the pandemic. There are many lessons to be learned that apply to the current COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a understanding of why certain constrains are in place. It also makes one realize that we are in for a long haul. Perhaps years. The afterword is prophetic and describes are current situation. Too bad the trump administration had not read it.

Informational/chilling, but slightly repetitive

I agree with some of the other reviews that some chapters are repetitive, but it's a good/informational/chilling book, especially during this Covid-19 outbreak. If you like history/medical history, or you want to get a better understanding of the possibilities of another outbreak. Then i would recommend listening to this boom.

Interesting topic in light of COVID-19

Interesting study and discussion about the pandemic. Appreciated the clinical part about how the virus infects the lungs. Fascinating history lesson.

Afterward is quite prescient.