Skip to content

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History Paperback - 2005

by John M. Barry

In the winter of 1918, at the height of WWI, history's most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It killed more people in twenty-four weeks than AIDS has killed in twenty-four years, more in a year than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision of science and epidemic disease. Magisterial in its breadth of perspective and depth of research, John M. Barry weaves together multiple narratives, with characters ranging from William Welch (founder of Johns Hopkins Medical School) to John D. Rockefeller and Woodrow Wilson. Ultimately a tale of triumph amid tragedy, this crisis provides a precise and sobering model for our world as we confront AIDS, bioterrorism, and other, as yet unknown, diseases.


Summary

At the height of WWI, history's most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It killed more people in twenty-four months than AIDS killed in twenty-four years, more in a year than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision of science and epidemic disease. Magisterial in its breadth of perspective and depth of research and now revised to reflect the growing danger of the avian flu, The Great Influenza is ultimately a tale of triumph amid tragedy, which provides us with a precise and sobering model as we confront the epidemics looming on our own horizon.

From the publisher

An in-depth account of the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918, a plague that took the lives of millions of people around the world.

First line

ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1876, the crowd overflowing the auditorium of Baltimore's Academy of Music was in a mood of hopeful excitement, but excitement without frivolity.

Details

  • Title The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
  • Author John M. Barry
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 546
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, New York
  • Date February 1, 2005
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780143034483 / 0143034480
  • Weight 1.02 lbs (0.46 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.48 x 5.56 x 0.96 in (21.54 x 14.12 x 2.44 cm)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2003057646
  • Dewey Decimal Code 614.518

Media reviews

Gripping... Easily our fullest, richest, most panoramic history of the subject. (The New York Times Book Review)Spellbinding... A compelling and scary read. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)Invaluable... an immensely readable book. (The Seattle Times)A writer of distinction with a deep philosophical underpinning... compelling and brilliant. (Journal of the American Medical Association)

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

by Barry, John M.

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.35
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-02-01. Paperback. Good. 1.1000 in x 8.4000 in x 5.5000 in. Light edge wear. Spine creased, but binding still sound.
Item Price
$2.35
$3.00 shipping to USA
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

by Barry, John M

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene , Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.49
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Acceptable. Paperback The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
Item Price
$4.49
$3.99 shipping to USA
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

by John M. Barry

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Youngtown, Arizona, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.75
$5.25 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, February 2005. Trade Paperback. Used - Acceptable.
Item Price
$4.75
$5.25 shipping to USA
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

by Barry, John M

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-02-01. Paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
$5.24
FREE shipping to USA
The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

by John M. Barry

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
As New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.35
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2005. Paperback. As New. Disclaimer:An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact; pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.35
FREE shipping to USA
The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

by John M. Barry

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
11
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2005. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.46
FREE shipping to USA
The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

by Barry, John M

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
8
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.24
FREE shipping to USA
The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History

by Barry, John M

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.36
FREE shipping to USA
The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History.
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza : The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History.

by Barry, John M.

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.48
$3.50 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 2005. paperback. Good. 5x0x8. softcover, minor wear, pages tanned and solid binding, a nice copy.
Item Price
$7.48
$3.50 shipping to USA
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

by John M. Barry

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034483 / 0143034480
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.49
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 2005-02-01. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$7.49
FREE shipping to USA