An American Plague

This dramatic account of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is riveting. It is packed with historical facts and presents the horror of the disease, the implications for the city of Philadelphia and neighboring areas, and the reaction of both the townspeople as well as those in power with vivid detail. Politicians, the medical community, common people, orphans, the poor are all brought to life before our eyes and we feel their pain, we share their misery, and we gain insight into what life was like for them during this terrifying time. Author Jim Murphy chronologically follows the beginning of this epidemic, making us feel as if we were actual witnesses to this American Plague, using quotes from those who were there, newspaper clippings, period engravings and portraits. Additionally, we are shown true acts of courage and selfless behavior as Mr. Murphy tells us of great men and woman who risked their lives to help their fellow people, and some who ultimately sacrificed their lives. He also unravels the controversies, particularly among the medical community in regards to the reaction to the disease and discusses bloodletting, ingesting poisons, bathing in vinegar, purging air with gunpowder, inhaling black pepper as well as other practiced modes of treatment. Some people may find the descriptions of the disease and the progression of the illness horrifying, but it is truth nonetheless, Yellow fever is nothing short of horrific. I believe this fascinating book is truly deserving of the many awards it has earned. This very visual and brilliantly written book is a great tool for you to use in teaching this part of our nation's history to your children.

Murphy tells a captivating story about Philadelphia's yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in this young adult tome. First, he provides a compelling narrative of the epidemic itself, replete with first-hand accounts of witnesses. Then, he tells us something of what happened in Philadelphia after this particular epidemic, illuminating the important impacts this event had on such diverse aspects of life as a public water system and whether the U.S. President can call Congress outside of the capital city. He goes on to explain the unfortunately major role of yellow fever as a U.S. killer for over a century. We then learn how scientists eventually discovered the cause (mosquitos carrying the virus) and a vaccine. Murphy's inclusion of relevant details adds to the evocative account of the tragedy itself. For example, we feel the irony when - in the midst of doctors and quacks expounding a range of potential ways to avoid the fever - an unknown author submits a letter to a newspaper suggesting that city residents kill the mosquitoes hatching in their yards. The remedy is not heeded. Likewise, in the midst of the panic that the epidemic created, a meteorite actually lands in the middle of the city, adding to the apocalyptic frenzy. This book is an excellent introduction to the importance of public health issues in U.S. and world history. I sent a copy as a gift to a young friend with a taste for history today. (Special note on the audio version narrated by Pat Bottino: he sounds too much like sportscaster Howard Cosell for my taste, with every sentence delivered as a sharp staccato.)

It is an indisputable fact that disasters are a lot more fun to read about than they are to live through. Sure, we might enjoy flipping through a tale covering the potato famine or the crash of the Hindenburg, but would you really want to experience them first hand yourself? Not likely. Author Jim Murphy has always been particularly talented at writing about the disaster genre. His "The Great Fire" is one of the finest non-fiction glimpses into the devastating 1871 Chicago conflagration ever produced. To my mind, however, he seems to make his various projects particularly difficult for himself. The Great Chicago Fire did not have any photographs to include for interest, though it did contain copious newspaper illustrations and documents. Such is the case with Murphy's more recent creation, "An American Plague". Delving deeply into the Yellow Fever epidemic of the late 18th century, Murphy attempts the near impossible: Make colonial America interesting. Worse, make colonial American interesting to kids. And dang it if he doesn't pull it off. Framing the tale as a kind of mystery, Murphy starts slowly. He introduces us to some of the characters that would become important during the disease's height. As we read we find ourselves in the hot steamy smelly streets of Philadelphia. President Washington is having some difficulties with his Proclamation of Neutrality regarding the French. The Reverend J. Henry C. Helmuth is proclaiming that soon the city will be feeling God's displeasure due to Philly's rampant debauchery. And in a small boarding house on North Water Street, a French sailor has come down with a fever. The plague has begun. Murphy's excellent at picking up the pace in this story. Quickly, the situation escalates from a disease affecting only the poor to one touching a variety of different citizens. Quick as a wink Washington and his compatriots flee the city and hole up in different areas. Rich citizens, or those with family not in Philadelphia, get out lickety-split. Suddenly our focus concentrates on Doctor Benjamin Rush. Placing himself in constant peril, Rush works tirelessly to find a cure for the disease. Rich men like Stephen Girard and (gotta love the name) Israel Israel take on the jobs of ministering to the sick and poor. Most remarkably of all, however, are the members of the Free African Society. A group of freed blacks, this group is led by the formidable and eloquent Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. With little regard for their own safety, this group nurses the people of the town when no one else will. They take on the most disgusting cases and emerge as the real heroes of this tale. And anyone who thinks the Free African Society got so much as a whisper of thanks for their efforts, by the way, needs to study up on their history a little more. By the book's end Yellow Fever abates with the arrival of autumn. Though it would pop up periodically over the years, it wasn't until 1900 that the tr

Jim Murphy's award winning book is a wonderful example of literary nonfiction for young people that's every bit as compelling and well-researched as that for adults. Other recent noteworthy books are Candace Fleming's innovative Ben Franklin's Almanac, Russell Freedman's In Defense of Liberty, and Deborah Hopkinson's fascinating book on immigrants in New York City, SHUTTING OUT THE SKY.

This is extraordinary history about an extraordinary time and a little known chapter in American History -- America's first medical epidemic. Half of Philadelphia (temporary capital of US) fled, 5000 died, streets ran with blood from all the bloodletting and free blacks were left to nurse the dying and were then despised for their efforts. (This is astounding history I knew nothing about: George Washington's fleeing Philadelphia set off a constitutional crisis. Additionally, the heroism of the Free Blacks and their ultimate vilification is is a little known and very disturbing chapter in African-American history.) It makes you think about today's epidemics and today's newspaper headlines: SARS and West Nile Virus (also a mosquito born disease). In fact, Murphy thoughtfully explores epidemics today, our continuing battle against the mosquito and continuing abuse of pesticides. Murphy captures such detail and writes with such passion that you feel like you are right there in 1793. I'm a middle school social studies teacher and I intend to use the book come Fall. In fact, I'm also going to introduce it to my own children. This is the kind of book that could get anyone hooked on history. I found it riveting. I'm a real fan of Jim Murphy. His books make history come alive!