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gmd316's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
Read a lot like a textbook at times
ameyawarde's review against another edition
5.0
It's mind boggling how long europeans still believed in the miasma theory. It's pretty embarrassing. I knew about Snow and discovering the water-cholera connection but this gave a lot of fascinating details about how folks still fought with him because they weren't convinced (despite his excellent science work for the time) that it was the water and not miasma. I think this is an important book for people interested in the history of science and medicine, as well as urban planning (I have a degree in it and we discussed this a bit in college) and history in general.
bailey_bea's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled to decide what I would rate this book. The Ghost Map starts off strong and is engaging throughout most of the text, but it probably should have ended before the conclusion or the epilogue at the very least. During the conclusion, Johnson starts losing the thread and going on tangents that don't seem to add anything to the groundwork he so carefully laid out in the beginning and middle of the book.
It might not be fair to critique the epilogue, since it is an epilogue, but it seems as if the author is just going on his own little tangential rant/discussion that, again, neither adds anything to the book's foundation nor connects to it except in a tenuous sort of way.
Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read. Just maybe lower your expectations for the last bit of the book.
It might not be fair to critique the epilogue, since it is an epilogue, but it seems as if the author is just going on his own little tangential rant/discussion that, again, neither adds anything to the book's foundation nor connects to it except in a tenuous sort of way.
Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read. Just maybe lower your expectations for the last bit of the book.
yotesmcgoats's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely fascinating. It told the story of one of the world’s most horrific cholera outbreaks in a manner that was informative and compelling. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in early epidemiology and the sociology of infectious disease and urbanization.
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating look at history through a very fun style of writing that kept me engaged the whole way through. I need to keep an eye out for more nonfiction like this, because I forget how great it feels to learn!
Imagine living with that sword of Damocles hovering above your head — every stomach pain or watery stool a potential harbinger of imminent doom.
Chronicling the discovery, investigation, and eventual understanding of the Cholera outbreak in London of 1854, Johnson tells us not just about the what and how, but the who and why they were able to do such intense research in the first place. Through a doctor wholly devoted to his science and a priest wholly devoted to his community, we see how the city dealt with the epidemic.
This book was entirely recontextualized for me by how we are actively going through a pandemic right now, on a scale unimaginable within the confines of the Cholera epidemic. Instead of this being a vision of a past unthinkable, it’s the swan song of a history forgotten and the hubris of men that has continued to this day. The discussions of “medical theories” and “cures” within newspapers, the panic and mass movement leading to further spreading, and the initial confusion of how it’s really spreading was just a touch too relatable.
I liked how each section had a clear cut focus while also propelling the narrative as time “passed” within Johnson’s retelling. I was surprised by just how much material he was able to reference directly from the time, but I guess 1895 was not so long ago that everything has been lost. Especially considering how some individuals may have kept their archives very tidy.
Overall, this was a great read!! I may have picked it up for a class, but I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend it even for people not in a course discussing the impact of big cities. It’s important to remember our history as humanity.
Imagine living with that sword of Damocles hovering above your head — every stomach pain or watery stool a potential harbinger of imminent doom.
Chronicling the discovery, investigation, and eventual understanding of the Cholera outbreak in London of 1854, Johnson tells us not just about the what and how, but the who and why they were able to do such intense research in the first place. Through a doctor wholly devoted to his science and a priest wholly devoted to his community, we see how the city dealt with the epidemic.
This book was entirely recontextualized for me by how we are actively going through a pandemic right now, on a scale unimaginable within the confines of the Cholera epidemic. Instead of this being a vision of a past unthinkable, it’s the swan song of a history forgotten and the hubris of men that has continued to this day. The discussions of “medical theories” and “cures” within newspapers, the panic and mass movement leading to further spreading, and the initial confusion of how it’s really spreading was just a touch too relatable.
I liked how each section had a clear cut focus while also propelling the narrative as time “passed” within Johnson’s retelling. I was surprised by just how much material he was able to reference directly from the time, but I guess 1895 was not so long ago that everything has been lost. Especially considering how some individuals may have kept their archives very tidy.
Overall, this was a great read!! I may have picked it up for a class, but I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend it even for people not in a course discussing the impact of big cities. It’s important to remember our history as humanity.
deblacekelly's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible book! If you love history, maps, science, social science, and really good storytelling you will love this book!
ipanzica's review against another edition
4.0
This is an amazing book that takes a holistic look at London's cholera epidemic. I really liked how the author gave a lot of details about both the city and the people the book is focused on. Though at the same time a bunch of interesting facts was also peppered into the book. It made reading the book feel like you were listening to a really passionate person talks about their favorite interest, which is really enjoyable.
This book also includes a thoughtful epilogue about what we have learned from other past epidemics and how we try to prevent epidemics now. After finishing this book I am curious about how people will view the covid-19 pandemic in the future.
This book also includes a thoughtful epilogue about what we have learned from other past epidemics and how we try to prevent epidemics now. After finishing this book I am curious about how people will view the covid-19 pandemic in the future.