Pox Americana

The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)
Cover of the book Pox Americana by Elizabeth A. Fenn, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elizabeth A. Fenn ISBN: 9781466808041
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: October 2, 2002
Imprint: Hill and Wang Language: English
Author: Elizabeth A. Fenn
ISBN: 9781466808041
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: October 2, 2002
Imprint: Hill and Wang
Language: English

The astonishing, hitherto unknown truths about a disease that transformed the United States at its birth

A horrifying epidemic of smallpox was sweeping across the Americas when the American Revolution began, and yet we know almost nothing about it. Elizabeth A. Fenn is the first historian to reveal how deeply variola affected the outcome of the war in every colony and the lives of everyone in North America.

By 1776, when military action and political ferment increased the movement of people and microbes, the epidemic worsened. Fenn's remarkable research shows us how smallpox devastated the American troops at Québec and kept them at bay during the British occupation of Boston. Soon the disease affected the war in Virginia, where it ravaged slaves who had escaped to join the British forces. During the terrible winter at Valley Forge, General Washington had to decide if and when to attempt the risky inoculation of his troops. In 1779, while Creeks and Cherokees were dying in Georgia, smallpox broke out in Mexico City, whence it followed travelers going north, striking Santa Fe and outlying pueblos in January 1781. Simultaneously it moved up the Pacific coast and east across the plains as far as Hudson's Bay.

The destructive, desolating power of smallpox made for a cascade of public-health crises and heartbreaking human drama. Fenn's innovative work shows how this mega-tragedy was met and what its consequences were for America.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The astonishing, hitherto unknown truths about a disease that transformed the United States at its birth

A horrifying epidemic of smallpox was sweeping across the Americas when the American Revolution began, and yet we know almost nothing about it. Elizabeth A. Fenn is the first historian to reveal how deeply variola affected the outcome of the war in every colony and the lives of everyone in North America.

By 1776, when military action and political ferment increased the movement of people and microbes, the epidemic worsened. Fenn's remarkable research shows us how smallpox devastated the American troops at Québec and kept them at bay during the British occupation of Boston. Soon the disease affected the war in Virginia, where it ravaged slaves who had escaped to join the British forces. During the terrible winter at Valley Forge, General Washington had to decide if and when to attempt the risky inoculation of his troops. In 1779, while Creeks and Cherokees were dying in Georgia, smallpox broke out in Mexico City, whence it followed travelers going north, striking Santa Fe and outlying pueblos in January 1781. Simultaneously it moved up the Pacific coast and east across the plains as far as Hudson's Bay.

The destructive, desolating power of smallpox made for a cascade of public-health crises and heartbreaking human drama. Fenn's innovative work shows how this mega-tragedy was met and what its consequences were for America.

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Break It Down by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book I Am Not Joey Pigza by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Better Than the Best Plan by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book My Life as a Traitor by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book A World of Trouble by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Jack's Black Book by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Papa's Mechanical Fish by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Go, Little Green Truck! by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Gone to New York by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book A Gambling Man by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Here Come the Regulars by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book The Solitaire Mystery by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Desire Lines by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Cover of the book Death Kit by Elizabeth A. Fenn
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy