Asleep

The Forgotten Epidemic That Became Medicine’s Greatest Mystery

De: Molly Caldwell Crosby

Narrado por: Christian Rummel

A fascinating look at a bizarre, forgotten epidemic from the national best-selling author of The American Plague.

In 1918, a world war raged, and a lethal strain of influenza circled the globe. In the midst of all this death, a bizarre disease appeared in Europe. Eventually known as encephalitis lethargica, or sleeping sickness, it spread worldwide, leaving millions dead or locked in institutions. Then, in 1927, it disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived. Asleep, set in 1920s and '30s New York, follows a group of neurologists through hospitals and asylums as they try to solve this epidemic and treat its victims - who learned the worst fate was not dying of it, but surviving it.

©2011 Molly Caldwell Crosby (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A great mixture of mystery and fact

Fascinating look at a devastating illness I knew very little about. Beyond Oliver Sacks book and the movie based on the book, Awakenings, I knew nothing about the disease Encephalitis Lethargica, or sleepy sickness. After reading this book, I find it frightening that we don't know what causes it, how the epidemic started, what ended it, and that I didn't realize it still occurs today. The author did a great job of trying to explain the fascinating mysteries behind the disease, the steps that were taken to try and understand it and the devastating results it had, especially on the young. It is rare that a book keeps me up at night worrying. This one did. If you like medical mysteries, this one will fascinate you.

Christian Rummel is quickly moving up my favorite narrator list. He is great.

Incredible!

This book kept me engaged and wanting more. I work in medicine, and there is so much wonder and things left unknown to this disease. It's mesmerizing! Must read.

Very interesting

Very interesting book. A lot of historical information including people that may have been affected by that the public didn’t know about.

Fantastic book

What made the experience of listening to Asleep the most enjoyable?

The details and the fascinating history that is given

What other book might you compare Asleep to and why?

The Great Pearl

Which scene was your favorite?

Current times compared to previous history of flu

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

all of it

Any additional comments?

Great non-fiction with fascinating case history of the illness

great book! learned alot!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Asleep?

it was griping to listen too.. a fast listen if you will. such an interesting history, something that more people should remember!