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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5 Ooh I really liked this book. A lot of interesting ideas, particularly amidst the current pandemic.
A really lovely, thoughtful, and poetic consideration of vaccination and the attitudes surrounding it. Also delves into the things people are actually talking about when they use vaccination as a proxy. I love the discussion of structure, metaphor, and embodiment (literal and figurative) and the way that affects our understanding and interpretation of this issue. Biss is empathetic and understanding of parental fears surrounding vaccination, but never accepting of them. A highly relevant and useful read in light of current events.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A personal journey of vaccination research that delves into the power and privilege of public and global health policy. Wonderfully insightful writing about self vs other. Highly recommended!
This started slow, but picked up speed in style and content as it went on. I found the musings on the self, the body politic, etc more enlightening than the more basic chapters about the mechanics of vaccination.
Many essayists turn to etymology to ground their argument in deconstructed meanings, but when Eula Biss digs into terms like "immunity" and "conscientious objector" she weaves these threads deeply back together with her own honest introspection. The topic is vaccination and anti-vaccination, but here this rises to broad social themes about individual fears and the common good, trust in others and interdependence.
I read this book because I wanted to understand how concerned some parents are about vaccines and the health of their child.
As an upcoming primary teacher this is a phenomenon (though, not a new one) that I will have to deal with every day in my classroom, while still being the best advocate I can be for all the children in my care.
Eula Biss manages, very artfully, to use narratives and anecdotes of her life as a mother to frame this book. What I liked was how well she spoke about being overwhelmed with facts during motherhood. There's no end to the articles, recommendations of others, professional opinions, books, text books and websites that can give any one parent at any one time.
I really, really felt for Biss and I think it's those narratives that make her well-researched, well-thought out and well-argued book so exceptional. She crafts the almost-perfect Western ideal of an argument, a well-balanced, thorough examination of a topic that makes a point without invalidating evidence on the opposite side, no matter how false it may be.
What I liked was how Biss' non-fiction piece managed to validate so many concerns surrounding vaccines and how the way we think about ourselves and our bodies affects how we feel about vaccines. She examines the social history of vaccines and how our perceptions on immunity have changed throughout the centuries.
What I enjoyed most was her discussion on vaccines and privilege and how many sources she references and provides. Biss has footnotes and a selection of articles, texts and academic journal articles she used in the back of the book and while it's not a complete list I feel like I am ever so slightly more empowered to read further into this topic on my own if I want to.
If you have questions about vaccines or if you are feeling unsupported I would strongly urge to check out this book.
On Immunity: An Inoculation feels as comprehensive as it is compassionate.
As an upcoming primary teacher this is a phenomenon (though, not a new one) that I will have to deal with every day in my classroom, while still being the best advocate I can be for all the children in my care.
Eula Biss manages, very artfully, to use narratives and anecdotes of her life as a mother to frame this book. What I liked was how well she spoke about being overwhelmed with facts during motherhood. There's no end to the articles, recommendations of others, professional opinions, books, text books and websites that can give any one parent at any one time.
I really, really felt for Biss and I think it's those narratives that make her well-researched, well-thought out and well-argued book so exceptional. She crafts the almost-perfect Western ideal of an argument, a well-balanced, thorough examination of a topic that makes a point without invalidating evidence on the opposite side, no matter how false it may be.
What I liked was how Biss' non-fiction piece managed to validate so many concerns surrounding vaccines and how the way we think about ourselves and our bodies affects how we feel about vaccines. She examines the social history of vaccines and how our perceptions on immunity have changed throughout the centuries.
What I enjoyed most was her discussion on vaccines and privilege and how many sources she references and provides. Biss has footnotes and a selection of articles, texts and academic journal articles she used in the back of the book and while it's not a complete list I feel like I am ever so slightly more empowered to read further into this topic on my own if I want to.
If you have questions about vaccines or if you are feeling unsupported I would strongly urge to check out this book.
On Immunity: An Inoculation feels as comprehensive as it is compassionate.
There's a lot in this book. A lot to think about, packed into this slim volume that could take you an insignificant amount of time to read. I don't think that I'll stop thinking about this, now that I've put the book down.
I will say--there are no conclusions reached here, not really. If you're looking for a pro-vaccine book, well, this isn't EXACTLY that. Certainly I came out of the reading feeling like the author was pro-vaccine, and I myself am strongly pro-vax, but I can absolutely imagine that someone who isn't, who is anti-vax, could come out of this book in the exact same spot. Which is interesting, in and of itself.
I am so glad I read this.
I will say--there are no conclusions reached here, not really. If you're looking for a pro-vaccine book, well, this isn't EXACTLY that. Certainly I came out of the reading feeling like the author was pro-vaccine, and I myself am strongly pro-vax, but I can absolutely imagine that someone who isn't, who is anti-vax, could come out of this book in the exact same spot. Which is interesting, in and of itself.
I am so glad I read this.