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American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of
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American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 Hardcover - 2003

by Jim Murphy

In a powerful narrative, Murphy describes the illness that took its toll on the residents of Philadelphia in 1793, relating the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Illustrated with archival prints. Bibliography. Map.

Summary

1793, Philadelphia. The nation's capital and the largest city in North America is devastated by an apparently incurable disease, cause unknown . . .
In a powerful, dramatic narrative, critically acclaimed author Jim Murphy describes the illness known as yellow fever and the toll it took on the city's residents, relating the epidemic to the major social and political events of the day and to 18th-century medical beliefs and practices. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Murphy spotlights the heroic role of Philadelphia's free blacks in combating the disease, and the Constitutional crisis that President Washington faced when he was forced to leave the city--and all his papers--while escaping the deadly contagion. The search for the fever's causes and cure, not found for more than a century afterward, provides a suspenseful counterpoint to this riveting true story of a city under siege.

Thoroughly researched, generously illustrated with fascinating archival prints, and unflinching in its discussion of medical details, this Newbery Honor-winning book offers a glimpse into the conditions of American cities at the time of our nation's birth while drawing timely parallels to modern-day epidemics. Bibliography, map, index.

From the publisher

Powerful and riveting, this Newbery Honor-winning narrative describes the illness known as yellow fever, the toll it took on the nation's capital--and the eventual triumph over the disease.

Long before Covid and the West Nile virus, yellow fever was a medical mystery that forced thousands in Philadelphia, the nation's temporary capital, to flee and brought the workings of the federal government to a virtual halt. A riveting account of this country's first large-scale medical epidemic, An American Plague is generously illustrated with archival prints and photographs and includes a bibliography, map, and index.

This is the story of how half the city's residents fled and half of those who remained died; neighboring towns, cities and states barricaded themselves; George Washington himself fled, setting off a constitutional crisis; and bloodletting caused blood to run through the streets. It is also the story of a little known chapter in Black history in which free Blacks nursed the sick only to be later condemned for their heroic efforts.

Meticulously researched, first-hand accounts, newspaper clippings, death lists, and period engravings recreate the fear and panic while exploring the political, social, cultural, medical and scientific history of the times. A final chapter explores the causes of the epidemic and provides a wake-up call about the potential for epidemics today.

Newbery Honor Book * National Book Award Finalist * Winner of the Sibert Medal

Details

  • Title American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
  • Author Jim Murphy
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 176
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Clarion Books, New York
  • Date 2003-06-23
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780395776087 / 0395776082
  • Weight 1.47 lbs (0.67 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.76 x 7.28 x 0.71 in (24.79 x 18.49 x 1.80 cm)
  • Ages 10 to 12 years
  • Grade levels 5 - 7
  • Reading level 1130
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 18th Century
    • Cultural Region: Mid-Atlantic
    • Cultural Region: Northeast U.S.
    • Geographic Orientation: Pennsylvania
  • Library of Congress subjects Pennsylvania - History - 1775-1865, Yellow fever - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia -
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2002151355
  • Dewey Decimal Code 614.541

Media reviews

"A mesmerizing, macabre account...powerful evocative prose... compelling subject matter...fascinating discussion...valuable lesson in reading and writing history. Stellar." KIRKUS REVIEWS, STARRED REVIEW Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Leisurely, lyrical tone...Murphy injects the events with immediacy...archival photographs...bring the story to life...comprehensive history." PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY Publishers Weekly

"laudable insight...Readers view the panic from several vantage points...allows his audience to share the contemporary complexity...truly absorbing" THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS, STARRED REVIEW The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred

"solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories...extensive and interesting...you'll have students hooked on history." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW School Library Journal, Starred

"History, science, politics and public health come together in this dramatic account...brings the 'unshakeable unease' chillingly close." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA

"diverse voices...representative images...Everywhere, Murphy is attentive to telling detail...Thoroughly documented...the work is both rigorous and inviting." THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE Horn Book

"Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy...transparently clear and well-paced prose...grueseome medical details...also plenty of serious history" THE WASHINTON POST BOOK WORLD The Washington Post

"superbly written...represents nonfiction at its best...extremely accessible and readable...captivating...an outstanding annotated bibliography...an excellent choice" VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

"Lavishly illustrated . . . Murphy unflinchingly presents the horrors. . . . he has produced another book that can make history come alive. . . ."--NY TIMES BOOK REVIEW The New York Times Book Review

"Murphy's dramatic history book...brings to life the determination and perseverance of a people whose future was uncertain." CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Christian Science Monitor

Citations

  • ALA Best Books Young Adults, 03/15/2004, Page 1280
  • ALA Notable Children's Books, 03/15/2004, Page 1287
  • Booklist, 12/01/2003, Page 678
  • Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks, 06/01/2003, Page 413
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 07/01/2003, Page 436
  • Kirkus Review - Children, 12/01/2003, Page 1404
  • New York Times, 01/18/2004, Page 19
  • Publishers Weekly, 03/10/2003, Page 73
  • School Library Journal, 10/01/2004, Page 0
  • SLJ's Best Books, 12/01/2003, Page 48
  • Voice of Youth Advocates, 12/01/2003, Page 428
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