Plagues in the Nation

How Epidemics Shaped America

De: Polly J. Price

Narrado por: Lea Greene

An expert legal review of the US government’s response to epidemics through history—with larger conclusions about COVID-19, and reforms needed for the next plague

In this narrative history of the US through major outbreaks of contagious disease, from yellow fever to the Spanish flu, from HIV/AIDS to Ebola, Polly J. Price examines how law and government affected the outcome of epidemics—and how those outbreaks in turn shaped our government.

Price presents a fascinating history that has never been fully explored and draws larger conclusions about the gaps in our governmental and legal response. Plagues in the Nation examines how our country learned—and failed to learn—how to address the panic, conflict, and chaos that are the companions of contagion, what policies failed America again and again, and what we must do better next time.

©2022 Polly J. Price (P)2022 Beacon Press

Reseñas de la Crítica

“An authoritative history of America’s flawed responses to epidemics . . . A vigorous argument for unified public health measures.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Gripping prose and lucid analysis make this an essential study of what needs to change before the next epidemic.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Short, readable, and well documented . . . [Price] clearly and ably lays out a timetable of disease and the legal and social response to it.”—Booklist