Get Well Soon

History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them

By: Jennifer Wright

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

A witty, irreverent tour of history's worst plagues - from the Antonine Plague, to leprosy, to polio - and a celebration of the heroes who fought them.

In 1518, in a small town in Alsace, Frau Troffea began dancing and didn't stop. She danced until she was carried away six days later, and soon 34 more villagers joined her. Then more. In a month more than 400 people had been stricken by the mysterious dancing plague. In late-19th-century England an eccentric gentleman founded the No Nose Club in his gracious townhome - a social club for those who had lost their noses, and other body parts, to the plague of syphilis for which there was then no cure. And in turn-of-the-century New York, an Irish cook caused two lethal outbreaks of typhoid fever, a case that transformed her into the notorious Typhoid Mary.

Throughout time, humans have been terrified and fascinated by the diseases history and circumstance have dropped on them. Some of their responses to those outbreaks are almost too strange to believe in hindsight. Get Well Soon delivers the gruesome, morbid details of some of the worst plagues we've suffered as a species, as well as stories of the heroic figures who selflessly fought to ease the suffering of their fellow man. With her signature mix of in-depth research and storytelling, and not a little dark humor, Jennifer Wright explores history's most gripping and deadly outbreaks, and ultimately looks at the surprising ways they've shaped history and humanity for almost as long as anyone can remember.

©2017 Jennifer Wright (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Witty an Smart

This book is awesome. one of few books I've ever listened to all in one sitting (road trip)
It is really well written, witty, relevant, and we'll researched.
The narrator is clear, has a good command of the humor, and a good reading pace.
I absolutely recommend it!!!

bookgirl

Science for the masses. Informative, interesting and fun. We take for granted so many of the medical advances of the last 75 years. Excellent narration.

Like a fun conversation with a snarky friend

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I had a lot of fun with this book. There wasn't a lot of new information in the book for me, as I enjoy a lot of nonfiction of this type, but it was written in such a way that I thought about things I already knew in a new way.

What other book might you compare Get Well Soon to and why?

If you can imagine a Bill Bryson history written by Tina Fey that is what this felt like to me. There were moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that made me think. I liked the narrator, listening to her was like having a conversation with a snarky friend.

Interesting for sure!

This was not the type of book I normally listen to, but I found it fascinating. Of course, like most of us I had heard of most of these plagues but had no idea of causes and the length they hung around and the absolute devastation caused. Loved it!

Who knew that leprosy could be so much fun!

Jennifer Wright is a genius. What a fun way of teaching in 'everyman's language' about all types of plagues, viruses and the need to take measures such as mass vaccinations in order to protect mankind. I must admit to laughing out loud on several occasions.

You do not need to be a member of Mensa to understand this book that is for sure. A great listen and Gabra Zackman gives a great performance.

Highly recommended.

An interesting story

Well written and read. A hard story to say I liked it, but it was informative and fast moving. The only thing I would have liked to see was a tie up MORE nicely the last bit. How crowds, covering up, were just as to blame for many pandemics. Sure ignorance and the unknowable are a great factor of disease through history...but all the little evasions were one incredible reason for wide spreading disease.

Required Reading

This should be required reading for all humans, especially politicians. I know they barely qualify as human so maybe this would help! Just the right amount of snark and humor to listen about horrific diseases.

Great book

This book was a great book. Despite the dark subject matter the author lightens the subject with a sense of humor. The narrator does a fantastic job narrating the story.

intriguing, fascinating, educational, funny, scary

Enjoyed listening to this biography of plagues, medical and political silliness, and humanity. Each chapter could be read alone but author ties it together with wit, history and real life stories.

unbelievably engaging story

fantastic telling of the heroics of great and ordinary men and women in times of great sickness. thanks to the author for bringing these stories to light!