The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic-- and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World by Stephan Jonson- Epidemics

Katie Taylor 
Period 5
September 18, 2014

1)  The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic-- and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World by Stephan Jonson

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade; 1 Reprint edition (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594482691
• ISBN-13: 978-1594482694

Professional Review

 From Publishers Weekly

" On August 28, 1854, working-class Londoner Sarah Lewis tossed a bucket of soiled water into the cesspool of her squalid apartment building and triggered the deadliest outbreak of cholera in the city's history. In this tightly written page-turner, Johnson created a thrilling story of, perseverance and redemption that echoes to the present day. Describing a city and culture experiencing explosive growth, with its attendant promise and difficulty. The riveting story about John Snow takes this tragedy to a whole new vivid level. In the face of a global epidemic, Snow (pioneering developer of surgical anesthesia) posited the then radical theory that cholera was spread through contaminated water rather than through miasma, or smells in the air. Against considerable resistance from the medical and bureaucratic establishment, Snow persisted and, with hard work and groundbreaking research, helped to bring about a fundamental change in our understanding of disease and its spread. Johnson reviews fascinating ideas about the growth of civilization, the organization of cities, and evolution to thrilling effect. From Snow's discovery of patient zero to Johnson's compelling argument for and celebration of cities, this makes for an illuminating and satisfying read."

Customer Review:

"This book is fascinating, especially if you are looking for a deeper look at London history. On the same topic is The Sick Rose, which has such fabulous illustra its really worth checking out!"

Why I Chose This Book: According to the reviews this book is a fascinating page turner that still contains detailed and accurate history, facts and information on epidemics.