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Polio: An American Story

Name: Polio: An American Story
Price: 18.05 USD
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Rating: 4.6 (1067 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: History - Polio: An American Story

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Book Synopsis: All who lived in the early 1950s remember the fear of polio and the elation felt when a successful vaccine was found. Now David Oshinsky tells the gripping story of the polio terror and of the intense effort to find a cure, from the March of Dimes to the discovery of the Salk and Sabin vaccines--and beyond. Here is a remarkable portrait of America in the early 1950s, using the widespread panic over polio to shed light on our national obsessions and fears. Drawing on newly available papers of Jonas Salk, Albert Sabin and other key players, Oshinsky paints a suspenseful portrait of the race for the cure, weaving a dramatic tale centered on the furious rivalry between Salk and Sabin. Indeed, the competition was marked by a deep-seated ill will among the researchers that remained with them until their deaths. The author also tells the story of Isabel Morgan, perhaps the most talented of all polio researchers, who might have beaten Salk to the prize if she had not retired to raise a family. As backdrop to this feverish research, Oshinsky offers an insightful look at the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which was founded in the 1930s by FDR and Basil O'Connor. The National Foundation revolutionized fundraising and the perception of disease in America, using "poster children" and the famous March of Dimes to raise hundreds of millions of dollars from a vast army of contributors (instead of a few well-heeled benefactors), creating the largest research and rehabilitation network in the history of medicine. The polio experience also revolutionized the way in which the government licensed and tested new drugs before allowing them on the market, and the way in which the legal system dealt with manufacturers’ liability for unsafe products. Finally, and perhaps most tellingly, Oshinsky reveals that polio was never the raging epidemic portrayed by the media, but in truth a relatively uncommon disease. But in baby-booming America--increasingly suburban, family-oriented, and hygiene-obsessed--the specter of polio, like the specter of the atomic bomb, soon became a cloud of terror over daily life. Both a gripping scientific suspense story and a provocative social and cultural history, Polio opens a fresh window onto postwar America.

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If you lived in the early 1950s, you surely remember the fear that gripped the nation due to polio. The uncertainty and panic were palpable as families worried about their loved ones falling victim to this debilitating disease. However, amidst the dark cloud of fear, there was a glimmer of hope – the discovery of a successful polio vaccine. In the book "Polio: An American Story," David Oshinsky takes you on a thrilling journey through the terror of polio and the intense race for a cure.

Uncover the remarkable portrait of America in the early 1950s, where the constant threat of polio sheds light on our national obsessions and fears. Oshinsky skillfully outlines the riveting competition between Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin, two brilliant minds vying to find the ultimate solution. Dive into the world of scientific rivalry and deep-seated ill will as you witness the battle unfold.

But the story doesn't stop there. Oshinsky also introduces you to Isabel Morgan, a prodigiously talented polio researcher who opted to step away from her career to raise a family. Discover the impact her absence had on the race for the cure and how history may have unfolded differently had circumstances been different.

Step back in time as Oshinsky delves into the creation of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, a game-changing organization founded by FDR and Basil O'Connor. Explore how this foundation revolutionized fundraising, disease perception, and medical research. The famous March of Dimes and iconic "poster children" played a pivotal role in raising millions of dollars from countless contributors, revolutionizing the fight against polio.

Polio not only changed the medical landscape, but it also reshaped governmental regulations and the legal system's approach to unsafe products. Oshinsky reveals how the specter of polio became a cloud of terror over daily life, much like the looming threat of the atomic bomb.

Immerse yourself in this captivating scientific suspense story and gain a thought-provoking insight into the social and cultural fabric of postwar America. "Polio: An American Story" is a must-read for history enthusiasts, medical aficionados, and anyone seeking to understand the indomitable spirit of human resilience.

Ready to dive into this gripping tale of hope, rivalry, and triumph? Order your copy of "Polio: An American Story" today and embark on an unforgettable journey through one of the most significant chapters in American history.

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