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687 reviews for:
Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them
Jennifer Wright
4.3 AVERAGE
687 reviews for:
Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them
Jennifer Wright
4.3 AVERAGE
Very informative. The author also finds rather interesting humor in the historical situations surrounding each featured disease.
funny
informative
This was very educational, referenced other epidemic historical books I liked, and was shockingly funny.
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Recommended. The material is often difficult to hear, but really puts our lives in perspective. The author's snark helps to keep things light. Important for everyone to learn from. This came out in 2017 and seemed all too prescient. Gave me chills. Yes, plagues will happen again. Our technology has improved - our cultural response, not so much.
Eerily timed as this was published in 2019, but fascinating to understand the progress we’ve made at combating disease. I loved this book!
dark
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
(I received an advanced copy of this book via a request through NetGalley)
I wasn’t too sure what to make of this book at first, mainly due to Wright's unabashed injection of her unapologetic sense of humor, wit and shamelessly personal stances into her writing. However, the further I read, the more I rapidly found it to be quite an effective component of the book. Not only does the levity that it all provides take what turns out to be a much-needed edge off her detailed depictions and discussion of some of the most vicious plagues that have ravaged humankind, but it actually also ends up making the subject matter much, more approachable to the reader. On top of that, the comical tone that so heavily laces much of book helps amplify any important messages she wants to deliver, sincere praise she wants to lavish or furious criticism that she wants to make. When the jokes and dark humor stops, one immediately knows that she not only has something serious to say, but whatever it is it will definitely pack quite a blunt punch.
However, that's not the only surprise I encountered. "Get Well Soon" not only works well as a very informative read with a heavily cheeky tone , but it also proves to be an incredibly uplifting read as well. While discussing fierce afflictions and plagues ranging from leprosy to the still-unsolved “sleeping sickness,” she also gives intense focus to the men and women who she believes are incredibly deserving of recognition from the incredible work they did to worked hard to alleviate and try to put a halt to the suffering of others. With her coverage of greats like Salk and Damien of Molokai, she provides a powerfully heartening message of the potentially fantastic good that resides in people, and the wonders that can be done through bravery, selflessness, and no small amount of hard work.
As I already, when I first started this book, I honestly wasn't sure what to make of this peculiar mix of medical history, scattered mini-biographies, and the author’s constant running commentary. However, it wasn’t long at until Wright won me over. "Get Well Soon" is definitely worth one's time and attention for its great mix of wit, information, and inspiration.
I wasn’t too sure what to make of this book at first, mainly due to Wright's unabashed injection of her unapologetic sense of humor, wit and shamelessly personal stances into her writing. However, the further I read, the more I rapidly found it to be quite an effective component of the book. Not only does the levity that it all provides take what turns out to be a much-needed edge off her detailed depictions and discussion of some of the most vicious plagues that have ravaged humankind, but it actually also ends up making the subject matter much, more approachable to the reader. On top of that, the comical tone that so heavily laces much of book helps amplify any important messages she wants to deliver, sincere praise she wants to lavish or furious criticism that she wants to make. When the jokes and dark humor stops, one immediately knows that she not only has something serious to say, but whatever it is it will definitely pack quite a blunt punch.
However, that's not the only surprise I encountered. "Get Well Soon" not only works well as a very informative read with a heavily cheeky tone , but it also proves to be an incredibly uplifting read as well. While discussing fierce afflictions and plagues ranging from leprosy to the still-unsolved “sleeping sickness,” she also gives intense focus to the men and women who she believes are incredibly deserving of recognition from the incredible work they did to worked hard to alleviate and try to put a halt to the suffering of others. With her coverage of greats like Salk and Damien of Molokai, she provides a powerfully heartening message of the potentially fantastic good that resides in people, and the wonders that can be done through bravery, selflessness, and no small amount of hard work.
As I already, when I first started this book, I honestly wasn't sure what to make of this peculiar mix of medical history, scattered mini-biographies, and the author’s constant running commentary. However, it wasn’t long at until Wright won me over. "Get Well Soon" is definitely worth one's time and attention for its great mix of wit, information, and inspiration.
Absolutely fantastic. A fascinating mix of scientific knowledge, intriguing historical anecdotes, mixed with handful of sharp wit that leaves me confident that I'd find the author a particularly pleasant dinner companion (or at least an amusing Twitter friend)
This was a really well done, funny, and informative book. The audio book narrator did an amazing job.
One caveat though, the chapter on the Spanish Flu hits real different as we sit here in 2023…
One caveat though, the chapter on the Spanish Flu hits real different as we sit here in 2023…