The Moth in the Iron Lung

A Biography of Polio

By: Forrest Maready

Narrated by: Forrest Maready

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A fascinating account of the world’s most famous disease - polio - told as you have never heard it before. Epidemics of paralysis began to rage in the early 1900s, seemingly out of nowhere. Doctors, parents, and health officials were at a loss to explain why this formerly unheard-of disease began paralyzing so many children - usually starting in their legs, sometimes moving up through their abdomen and arms. For an unfortunate few, it could paralyze the muscles that allowed them to breathe.

Why did this disease start to become such a horrible problem during the late 1800s? Why did it affect children more often than adults? Why was it originally called teething paralysis by mothers and their doctors? Why were animals so often paralyzed during the early epidemics when it was later discovered most animals could not become infected? The Moth in the Iron Lung is a fascinating biography of this horrible paralytic disease, where it came from, and why it disappeared in the 1950s. If you’ve never explored the polio story beyond the tales of crippled children and iron lungs, this book will be sure to surprise.

©2018 Forrest Maready (P)2018 Forrest Maready

The Moth in the Iron Lung

What an awesome historical retelling of the origins of “poliomyelitis” and the failed medical attempts to prevent and cure it. It felt like it had to be a creepy fictional thriller story, but knowing the amount of research that went into his retelling, it is chilling how accurate everything is. I had chills by the very end. A must-read for anyone who has already begun the descent down the rabbit hole, and an open-minded reading might just get you down the rabbit hole, too.

True Eye-Opener

I started listening to this upon recommendation from my mom who is also listening. I finished it in 3 days! Could not stop!! Utterly fascinating/shocking horror story. Thank you Forest for your research!

Learning something new can be fun

Using this book as an introduction to an aspect of public health that's largely unknown to most people is an excellent way to start to connect what appear to be totally unrelated phenomena. The chapter covering Franklin Roosevelt's paralysis is particularly interesting.

Fascinating

Great story providing unbiased research in a easy to listen to format. I would recommend this book. The narrator (who was also the author) did a great job.

The real story of polio and what caused it.

A well written and narrated book that thoroughly explains the real story behind the polio outbreak. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about this disease. Especially those who know someone who had it.

Enthralling! An absolute must read!

“The Moth in the Iron Lung” is a must read for everyone. Everything done in our current “health world” is based on the history of its modern beginnings. Fascinating story written in a way that is not only interesting but captivating. Learn the history of the iron lung and polio, the “disease” that changed the world. Be prepared to be blown awan

Best book I’ve read. Seriously.

Very informative

Like many other truth seekers this book portrays a varied perspective of what media and the medical community have told us about polio and it’s effects on our children and societies approach to dis-ease. Worth the read if you allow your mind to explore different possibilities

A timeline of the polio epidemic.

Over the course of my life, the more I have done the history, the more I have realized just how nuanced it truly is and how I have only ever been taught one perspective. This book was extremely eye-opening. It wasn’t really some thing that I wanted to listen to… But I believe in listening to two sides of every story.

The author did a great job of telling the story. It read more like someone who is sitting across from you and telling you the story of the history of polio.

The author paralleled the rise in “poliomyelitis“ with the rise and toxic pesticides… Namely, lead, arsenic, and DDT. His overall hypothesis is that the use of these toxic pesticides allowed viruses to supersede the bodies own immune system and reach into the nervous system causing paralysis. He follows a timeline closely matched with the rise in these pesticides. It’s compelling at least. And earth shattering at most.

Highly recommend for anyone curious about the much preached narrative that a vaccine ended the polio epidemic.

Should be required reading for all teens and adults.

This book was incredibly written and narrated. It made me realize that as time moves forward - little changes. I feel that this book should be required reading because clearly our past is currently repeating itself and most people have no idea what they are actually talking about. You won’t be disappointed. Download this one.

Must Reqd

This book provides a good insight into why you have to do your own research when it comes to your family’s health. If we do not search out root cause in health we end up with quick fix solutions that may do more harm than good.