Recreates the struggles within plague-stricken Italy; relating events that led to a confrontation between the advocates of science and the followers of faith. By the late fall of 1630; the Black Plague had descended upon northern Italy. The prentice Magistry of Public Health; centered in Florence; took steps to contain and combat the scourge. In this essay; Carlo Cipolla recreates the daily struggle of plague-stricken Monte Lupo; a rustic Tuscan village; revealing in the vivid terms of actual events and personalities a central drama of Western civilization - the conflict between faith and reason; Church and state.
#62276 in Books Dan Baum 2010-02-16 2010-02-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .81 x 5.17l; .57 #File Name: 0385523203368 pagesNine Lives Mystery Magic Death and Life in New Orleans
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic ReadBy E. AlexandriaI wanted to read the book before having a personal visit with one of the "interview-ees" in the book. It was FANTASTIC. I have done alot of volunteeer time in the Lower 9th; both before; and after Katrina. This was a beautiful; stellar; could not wait to digest every word sort of book. Engaging; sharp; and forward-moving. It perfectly places you into that miasma of beauty; culture; uniqueness; and love/pain/sorrow/joy that it is; to be there; from there. I have re-read it ten times. It is in my top three of "go-to" books because; as a volunteer there; it speaks; and resonates on such a depp level. Dan Baum did an absolutely stellar job capturing time and place. A great read; and it tells the deep abiding love of place; sorrow of place; and redemption and abiding love of place. I absolutely loved every word ; and highly recommend!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful tribute to New Orleans and its peopleBy sovtherngothicNine Lives is a beautiful story that follows the lives of nine New Orleanians. It starts in the 60's; when Hurricane Betsy was the "big storm" of the time. I've always heard of Betsy growing up; how devastating it was and how my grandpa had to rescue his 5 kids out of their house by walking with each one on his shoulders through the murky water.The story then meanders through events in each person's life passing years and decades; it's a little hard to keep up with the characters at first but once they're introduced and you know their back story; it's hard to put the book down.Then there's Katrina. This part was really hard for me to read (through tears) but it was heartbreaking and very moving.The characters are all real people that the writer had met while covering Katrina for The New Yorker. A stoic Mardi Gras Indian chief; a transsexual bar owner; a coroner; these are but a few of the people we read about. I understand that this book is currently being developed into a musical for Broadway. I hope that happens because these stories should be heard.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Wow. Hypnotizing and hauntingBy Dogs Horses I was astonished to find myself utterly swept away by each person in this book and their background; history and journey up to Hurricane Katrina. Yes their travel through Katrina and beyond was what drew me to the book; but it was the braiding of each person's roots within the city itself that kept me turning page after page late into the night.Watching the descent of the Lower Ninth Ward through the decades - well all of New Orleans really; from a place where poor families struggled to make ends meet and keep family values at the center of their world as the neighborhoods decayed into drug dealer owned corners where even murderers feared to tread after dark. The reasons for that collapse are varied and numerous - as in any other city around the nation. However; this book should help to shine a light on the people who care about New Orleans and her old districts and the history each one carries. They just as varied and more important than the excuses for failure before and after Katrina.Personally I loved the Big Easy long before Katrina and my heart broke to slosh through the debris after Katrina. New Orleans is a city that accepts you foolishness and all; eccentricities and normality alike. Nine Lives is the only book I've read that offers a true look at the reality that makes New Orleans New Orleans.
