Introduction

The book I will be reviewing is The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic-- and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World by Stephan Jonson. My back up book is Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston. I chose Ghost Map by Stephan Jonson because it is appears to be fascinating page turner that still contains detailed and accurate history, facts and information on epidemics, and yet it isn't just informational because it follows a character and has a story line. I find Epidemics interesting because it is such a broad topic. An Epidemic can be 
anything from a highly contagious deadly virus to the rapid spread of the popularity of beanie babies sweeping the nation. 

Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic by John De Graaf - Book 10

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 19, 2014

10. Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic by John De Graaf

Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; First Edition, First Printing edition (June 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576751511
• ISBN-13: 978-1576751510
• 
  

Professional Review: "De Graaf, has assembled an updated and more in-depth look at the epidemic of overconsumption sweeping the United States along with the rest of the world. Graaf takes an in-depth look at how epidemics spread and begin, along with an interesting take on how the over consumption in the United States has been the catalyst for the spread of this epidemic to other regions. He defines "affluenza" as "a painful, contagious, socially-transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more" and examine the spiraling cycle of overconsumption, spending, stress, and broken relationships caused by America's obsession with uncontrolled economic growth at any cost. This witty yet hard-hitting book provides evidence of the social problems caused by the American obsession with acquiring "stuff" and proposes solutions for living more sustainably." Mark Bay, Indiana Univ.

Purdue Univ. Lib., Indianapolis

Customer Review: " I am rarely excited about any required book. This book was completely different. Right from the start I was seriously impressed. It really makes you to take an refreshing  look at your life and the world which you occupy. I feel like this is the book everyone needs to read. I wish this were required reading for every high school kid in America. Read it; you won't be sorry."

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because it had many glowing reviews about how it was a life altering book that people couldn't put down.

Book 9. Flu: The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It by Gina Kolata

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 19, 2014

9. Flu: The Story Of The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It by Gina Kolata

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 1 edition (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743203984
• ISBN-13: 978-0743203982
• 
  

Professional Review: "Science writer Gina Kolata's Flu took a deep look at the 1918 epidemic that wiped out around 40 million people in less than a year and afflicted more than one of every four Americans. This tragedy, occurred shortly after World War I and far more deadly, so traumatized the survivors that few would talk about it afterward. Kolata discusses this bizarre yet catastrophic outbreak, in particular the attempts to sequence the virus' DNA from tissue samples of victims. She also closely investigates the social and personal effects of the disease, from improved public health awareness to the loss of productivity

Customer Review: I really enjoyed the writing style of this author. I read the book many years ago and could not find my copy. So I ordered one. I rarely read books more than once, but this is an exceptional read in my opinion. I will tell you why after I read it for the second time.

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because it takes a deep look in to one of the largest epidemics in history. This book looks at everything from the disease it self to the social effects it had in regions which were infected.

The Turnaround: How America's Top Cop Reversed the Crime Epidemic- Book 8

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 14, 2014

8. The Turnaround: How America's Top Cop Reversed the Crime Epidemic

Product Details

• Hardcover: 329 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (January 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679452516
• ISBN-13: 978-0679452515
• 
  

Professional Review: "In Turnaround, Bratton describes the police initiatives that led to these successes. Bratton and his peers used computer mapping to pinpoint crime hot spots and then cleaned up the areas using all the tools of law enforcement. Bratton starting hosting frequent departmental meetings in which police commanders from all districts of the city accountable, requiring them to report on progress and problems in their locales. This is not a page-turner or a masterful work of literature, but Bratton's ideas about curbing crime should be of interest to both those involved in law enforcement and regular people who are concerned about crime." --Jill Marquis

Customer Review: "Excellent overview of the effectiveness of community focused policing and effective management practices. A page turner throughout the entire book."

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because unlike most other book about epidemics it is not written about a disease. The book also appears to be very well written.

Childhood Obesity in America: Biography of an Epidemic by Laura Dawes Book Search- Book 7

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 18, 2014

7. Childhood Obesity in America: Biography of an Epidemic by Laura Dawes

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages

• Publisher: Harvard University Press (May 12, 2014)

• Language: English

• ISBN-10: 0674281446

• ISBN-13: 978-0674281448

• 
  

Professional Review: "With unique examples, and an admirable amount of research, Laura Dawes demonstrates how and why our current problem with childhood obesity emerged. This book is a genuine contribution not only to historical understanding, but to the field of medical ethics and also to contemporary policy debates. (Steven Mintz, University of Texas at Austin)"

Customer Review: NA

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because it talks about the spreading obesity epidemic which, as a vegetarian health nut, is something that really interests me.

The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston- Book-6

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 18, 2014


6. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345466632
• ISBN-13: 978-0345466631
• 
  

Professional Review: " Never mind Ebola, what we really should be worrying about, is smallpox, or variola. But wasn't that eradicated? Many might ask, particularly older Americans who remember painful vaccinations and the resultant scars. Officially, yes, nods Preston, who devotes the first half of the book to the valorous attempt by an army of volunteers to wipe out the virus. Today the variola virus exists officially in only two storage depots, in Russia and at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. In this book Preston looks into the possibility that the virus is currently being on as biological weapon in countries including Iran and Russia. Preston humanizes his science reportage by focusing on individuals-scientists, patients, physicians, government figures. The book excellently illustrates the immediate consequences if the virus was released into the public and the rapid spread and mass tragedy that would occur. This book as exciting as the best thrillers, yet scarier by far, for Preston's pages deal with clear, present and very real dangers."

Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Review: "Richard Preston is a very compelling writer that covers some terrifying topics I found the book to be a thrilling page turner with relevant and fascinating information that yet some how reads similarly to a mystery novel. The Hot Zone is a personal favorite of mine so I was naturally drawn to The Demon in the Freezer. Though covering a similar subject, I would not consider this to be at the same level as The Hot Zone. That is by no means any reason to pass over this book. It's a very interesting read (and a bit worrisome) and has a lot of information to be gained. If you enjoyed The Hot Zone or are interested in a fast paced look at some of the most troubling diseases/viruses in recent history, give this book a shot."

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because it is written much like a mystery thriller, but is still entirely true and well researched. This book appears to have a fascinating story line and relevant information about one of the most deadly epidemics in history. 

The Epidemic: A History of Aids by Jonathan Engel - Book 5

Katie Taylor
Period 5
September 18, 2014

5. The Epidemic: A History of Aids by Jonathan Engel 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Collins; 1st edition (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061144886

Professional Review:

From Publishers Weekly

"The Epidemic was perceptive and concise, but also conversational and unbelievably thorough, Engel details our relationship, from the first appearance of the new pathogen to the colossal struggles of today's third-world countries, with a virus that "has proven itself a formidable foe, evading vaccines and antidotes, while mocking our own imprudence, and self-indulgence. Discussing in detail the sexual, economical, scientific, political, and educational detrimental ramifications of the AIDS crisis. After presenting the viral onslaught's first, overlooked victims, he tracks the disease's progression throughout the gay communities and circles of sex addicted  drug-users, then finally into more mainstream populations." -Reed Business Information

Customer Review: "The Epidemic is a comprehensive and compelling history of AIDS - a devastating disease that has evoked not only human suffering, but medical, political, religious, and social controversy in the twenty five plus years since it exploded onto the world scene." 

Why I Chose This Book: I chose this book because it follows the course of the AIDS epidemic from its start to where it is now and it appears to be well written .