A review by farquharsonba
When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS by James Cross Giblin

3.0

Even though this was written in 1995, this book remains more relevant than ever on the age of COVID-19. Giblin covers three notable diseases: the Black Plague, Smallpox, and AIDs. Not only does Giblin cover the history and causes of the diseases but also the social response. The Black Plague gave way to horrid anti-semitism; Smallpox began the vaccination debate; AIDs resulted in negative stigmas on its victims, regardless of how it was transmitted. There's no doubt someone someday will write a similar book about COVID and realize that even for those not directly affected, the plague implants madness in society, regardless of when it occurs.