Jim Murphy amazes, educates and horrifies with his wonderful Siebert Award winning and Newberry Honor Book, AN AMERICAN PLAGUE. Murphy deftly describes the political, social, medical and economic conditions that allowed the yellow fever epidemic to devastate Philadelphia in the 1790s in a way that is truly terrifying but nonetheless intriguing. I couldnt put it down.
Jim Murphys award winning book is a wonderful example of literary nonfiction for young people thats every bit as compelling and well-researched as that for adults. Other recent noteworthy books are Candace Flemings innovative Ben Franklins Almanac, Russell Freedmans In Defense of Liberty, and Deborah Hopkinsons fascinating book on immigrants in New York City, SHUTTING OUT THE SKY.
This book is a great read for several reasons: 1. It tells a compelling story. 2. It is written in an informal style that helps makes you feel like you are there as events unfold, and without academic historical jargon or obscure references. 3. The use of archival images and newspapers is terrific. 4. It made me interested to read some of the source documents consulted by the author, such as first person diaries of the time. 5. Lots of fascinating facts for people interested in how American started out as goverment and the challenges it faced. 6. It shows how relatively ignorant science and medicine was back then (bloodletting was still basic medical practice). 7. The book does a good job of giving the details of the story from many different perspectives--from the pauper in the street, to George Washingtons frustration. 8. It makes you think about how our goverment now to a big epidemic. 9. It shows how heroic and noble the first African-Americans were at that time, and what a vital service they provided this country through their skill, dedication, compassion and piety. A few minor quibbles with the editing: I found a glaring typo in a chapter heading, and some of the narrative is repetitious. On the whole a very good book for young and older people alike. A disclaimer: It turns out that the author of this book lives in my relatively small town, but I have never met him, dont know what he looks like, but thank him just the same.
