Description
Book Synopsis: Now an LA Times Book Prize finalist: a timely and fascinating account of the raucous public demand for smallpox inoculation during the American Revolution and the origin of vaccination in the United States.
Finalist of the LA Times Book Prize for History by the LA Times
The Revolutionary War broke out during a smallpox epidemic, and in response, General George Washington ordered the inoculation of the Continental Army. But Washington did not have to convince fearful colonists to protect themselves against smallpox―they were the ones demanding it. In The Contagion of Liberty, Andrew M. Wehrman describes a revolution within a revolution, where the violent insistence for freedom from disease ultimately helped American colonists achieve independence from Great Britain.
Inoculation, a shocking procedure introduced to America by an enslaved African, became the most sought-after medical procedure of the eighteenth century. The difficulty lay in providing it to all Americans and not just the fortunate few. Across the colonies, poor Americans rioted for equal access to medicine, while cities and towns shut down for quarantines. In Marblehead, Massachusetts, sailors burned down an expensive private hospital just weeks after the Boston Tea Party. This thought-provoking history offers a new dimension to our understanding of both the American Revolution and the origins of public health in the United States. The miraculous discovery of vaccination in the early 1800s posed new challenges that upended the revolutionaries' dream of disease eradication, and Wehrman reveals that the quintessentially American rejection of universal health care systems has deeper roots than previously known. During a time when some of the loudest voices in the United States are those clamoring against efforts to vaccinate, this richly documented book will appeal to anyone interested in the history of medicine and politics, or who has questioned government action (or lack thereof) during a pandemic.
Details
Experience the captivating story of the American Revolution like never before with "The Contagion of Liberty: The Politics of Smallpox". Discover the intriguing account of how the raucous public demand for smallpox inoculation during the Revolution led to the origin of vaccination in the United States. As a finalist for the prestigious LA Times Book Prize for History, this timely book is a must-read for history enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of this pivotal period.
Unraveling the lesser-known revolution within a revolution, author Andrew M. Wehrman delves into the violent insistence for freedom from disease that played a significant role in American colonists achieving independence. Learn how the introduction of the shocking procedure of inoculation, brought to America by an enslaved African, sparked a nationwide frenzy for this sought-after medical practice. Brace yourself for stories of riots, quarantines, and even the burning down of a private hospital in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Prepare to be amazed by the profound impact that these events had on the American Revolution and the origins of public health in the United States.
But the journey doesn't end there. Wehrman's book goes beyond the Revolution, exploring the challenges posed by the miraculous discovery of vaccination in the early 1800s. Witness how this groundbreaking development unsettled the revolutionaries' dream of eradicating diseases. Moreover, gain a new perspective on the roots of the quintessentially American rejection of universal healthcare systems. Today, as debates over government action during a pandemic continue to rage, "The Contagion of Liberty" shines a spotlight on the history of medicine and politics, providing thought-provoking insights for those who question the status quo.
Don't miss your chance to delve into this richly documented narrative that unearths fascinating connections between history, medicine, and politics. Grab your copy of "The Contagion of Liberty: The Politics of Smallpox" and join the ranks of readers enthralled by the gripping account of America's fight for freedom from disease. Find out more here.
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