Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: Scourge
Subtitle: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox
Author: Jonathan B. Tucker
Narrator: Patrick Cullen
Format: Unabridged
Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
Language: English
Release date: 05-05-04
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 89 votes
Genres: History, World
Publisher's Summary:
Starting in the 16th century, the smallpox virus afflicted rich and poor, royalty and commoners, and repeatedly altered the course of human history.
No safe way of preventing smallpox existed until 1796, when an English country doctor named Edward Jenner developed a vaccine against it. During the ensuing 170 years, vaccination banished smallpox from the industrialized countries, but it remained a major cause of death in the developing world, killing almost two million people per year. Finally, in 1967, the World Health Organization launched an intensified global campaign to eradicate smallpox. By early 1978, the disease had been eliminated worldwide.
During the 1980s, Soviet leaders cynically exploited the world's new vulnerability to smallpox by mass-producing the virus as a strategic weapon. In recent years, concern over the possible return of smallpox has taken an even greater urgency with the realization that clandestine stocks of the virus may still exist.
Members Reviews:
Everyone should listen to this
Well written and read. Can get a little technical but I learned quite a bit from this book. This story is important in understanding more of the ease of spread of current diseases and the near impossible fight against them. Great work...
Everything you wanted to know about Smallpox
Seminal book on the science and politics of Smallpox throughout history, and the tug of war between states to hold on to the virus for later, possibly destructive, uses. Gives you a great look at the workings of the WHO, and public health in general. Well researched. The author was robably was granted access to WHO and CDC files, naming patients, dates, medical files, etc. The ending is so political that one loses track, but in general, a great book well narrated.
Interesting, but with annoying mispronunciations
The book is quite interesting as an overview of the challenge faced in eradicating smallpox in the 20th century. The book is detailed and addresses WHO efforts worldwide as well as political challenges that impeded the work.
The narrator has an old-fashioned newscaster's tone and pacing, but annoying mispronounces many ordinary words. I am willing to overlook mispronunciation of technical terms, but the narrator should be able to speak standard English.
Very informative
Would you consider the audio edition of Scourge to be better than the print version?
I did not read the print version. I prefer audio because I can clean my house and "read"a great informative book at the same time. I can also drive and "read" too.
What did you like best about this story?
The way it was presented was both informative and entertaining. It kept my attention and I hated when it was over.
Have you listened to any of Patrick Cullens other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, but I think he did a fine job on Scourge.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
The Maker of Tears
Any additional comments?
I am a nurse and love books about health related issues.
Informative story if you can get past the mistakes
This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?
Reader mispronounces so many names that it is VERY irritating to listen to.He even mispronounces the name of the virus the reason the book was written. The story is compelling and informative if you can get past all the mistakes.
