The influenza epidemic of 1918 was one of the worst medical disasters in human history; taking close to thirty million lives worldwide in less than a year; including more than 500;000 in the United States. What made this pandemic even more frightening was the fact that it occurred when death rates for most common infectious diseases were diminishing. Still; an epidemic is not merely a medical crisis; it has sociological; psychological; and political dimensions as well. In Influenza and Inequality; Patricia J. Fanning examines these other dimensions and brings to life this terrible episode of epidemic disease by tracing its path through the town of Norwood; Massachusetts. By 1918; Norwood was a small; ethnically diverse; industrialized; and stratified community. Ink; printing; and tanning factories were owned by wealthy families who lived privileged lives. These industries attracted immigrant laborers who made their homes in several ethnic neighborhoods and endured prejudice and discrimination at the hands of native residents. When the epidemic struck; the immigrant neighborhoods were most affected; a fact that played a significant role in the town's response―with tragic results. This close analysis of one town's struggle illuminates how even well-intentioned elite groups may adopt and implement strategies that can exacerbate rather than relieve a medical crisis. It is a cautionary tale that demonstrates how social behavior can be a fundamental predictor of the epidemic curve; a community's response to crisis; and the consequences of those actions.
#1434827 in Books Naval Institute Press 2000-03-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.99 x .93 x 6.00l; 1.02 #File Name: 1557504253336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Compelling; game-changing accountBy KatherineA resident of Brookeville; MD; I read Anthony Pitch's book to prepare for our commemoration of President Madison's flight from the burning capital. The exhausted; endangered President slept one night in the relative safety and hospitality of our little Quaker village almost exactly 200 years ago.Anthony Pitch's book brought home the choices; horrific details; confusion and trauma of the final stages of the War of 1812 by portraying the motives and reactions of the people involved and guiding us along the confusing roadmap of this strange war.No longer do I see this period as a footnote in history or a bump on the way to US autonomy as a fledgling nation. Pitch's awesome research and pulsing; deft narrative made a powerful case that this messy war was a defining moment in early American history.I truly couldn't put the book down.I heard author Anthony Pitch speak at a War of 1812 symposium and will see him at our re-acted commemoration of the President's stay in Brookeville; just a few weeks from now. As is his in-person conversation about this era; his book is an essential; intimate recounting of the final stages of the tragic war during the ultimately successful struggle to establish this nation.Read this book if you really want to understand those high notes you sing at the start of every baseball game. You will realize that congressional standoffs; fingerprinting at Presidents; and recriminations over involvement in wars have telling roots at the founding of our political process.I think it is fair to say that the burning of Washington was a 9/11 experience for the early USA. This book is brilliant at weaving the central themes into a compelling account. I wish Pitch's book had been available when I taught high school history courses on pre-20th century US history; years ago.I now face the local commemoration of President Madison's one night in Brookeville with humility and appreciation for these traumatizing; life-changing experiences of our ancestors.8 of 10 people found the following review helpful. WASHINGTON SACKED BY FOREIGN ARMY !!By Wayne A. SmithI imagine most Americans would think the above title reflected historical fiction rather than fact.The fact is that most contemporay Americans thought the Burning of Washington would live on forever in the American mind as an ignoble moment of shame and humiliation. That it has largely been forgotten is a testament to how America has changed and grown since 1814 -- rendering what has become one of our "little wars" largely to the history books with an occasional reprieve when the Star Spangled Banner is considered. It is worth considering that President Madison is remembered today as the father of the Constitution; and not as the rascal who allowed the White House and the Capitol to be burned by a foreign army during a war so ineptly fought by our side. I imagine that had this occurred in any number of other countries; his moment of singular presidential humiliation would attach itself more largely to his name. We remain an optimistic people.Anthony S. Pitch has written a very good account of the British occupation and sacking of Washington; D.C. in his book "The Burning of Washington. The British Invasion of 1814." The author makes good use of contemporary sources and observations from American and British combatants as well as civilians. The background is sketched well enough to allow the reader to understand why the British stood at the mouth of the Potomac River ready to invade our capitol city. Personalities of American and British commanders as well as President Madison and especially Secretary of War John Armstrong - to whom can be attributed the immediate blame for Washington's unprepardness - are well summarized to give the reader a good feel for how individuals affected the events covered in the book.The story covers the Battle of Bladensburg; the march on and occupation of Washington; the burning of the public buildings (focusing on the Capitol and White House); as well as the British attempt to take Baltimore; which failed before the walls of Ft. McHenry. Francis Scott Key's penning of our national anthem is also covered; as well as the British retreat. The book ends with summaries of the Treaty of Ghent; which ended the war; as well as Jackson's incredibly lopsided victory over Gen. Packenham before New Orleans.All in all this is a good and interesting book. The author keeps the pace moving while giving enough detail to both satisfy curiosity as to why events are unfolding as they did as well as add the flavor and feel that can come from a judicious use of diary entries and contemporary accounts. I recommend this to any history buff who would like to know more about a now overlooked -- but still astonishing - part of American history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Read: Fills in the gaps left by your teachers!!!By Bob in RichmondA very interesting read about a war all too often ignored by most Americans and their schools. One wonders at the beauty of the buildings burned and trashed and their contents which are gone forever. And also at the virtually; total unpreparedness to defend the city. Of additional interest is the rather mannerly way in which the British treated American civilians; naturally with some exceptions.An excellent book containing much insight on a forgotten; but important; war.
