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winterlelie's review against another edition
3.0
Really interesting book that's part memoir part history of vaccination and the immune system. It has definitely solidified my trust in vaccines. Sadly, the lesser quality of the audio recording diminished my enjoyment of the book. The narrator has an almost robotic cadence to her voice and the recording itself suffers from some sort of distortion.
librariandest's review against another edition
5.0
I have a big book crush on Eula Biss now. This book is deep without being difficult. I found it super thought-provoking, especially her thoughts on sympathizing with anti-vax feelings. I admit to harshly judging anti-vaxxers, but it is not totally irrational to fear/distrust the establishment. There is a lot to chew on in terms of who we trust and why.
She is less sympathetic to individualism/exceptionalism. One of my favorite sections from the book is: "I do not need to consult an ethicist to determine that there is something wrong [with making a special exemption just for yourself]." She points out that when we give blood, we are doing it for others, not for ourselves. Getting vaccinated should be seen in this same light.
This was published in 2014 and it's still very relevant in 2021 in the midst of COVID vaccinations.
This is also a book that felt deeply relevant to me as the parent of a young child. The fear/anxiety of parenting in the 21st century is almost unbearable to me sometimes. It felt good to read someone as smart as Biss struggle with the same issues and parse their origins. There's a great section on how many parents value "purity" and cleanliness and things that are "natural" in parenting. Our fears are often out of whack with the actual risks.
This is also a book about the "us versus them" mentality both in terms of how we related to germs/viruses (are they foreign invaders or are they part of us?) and how we relate to other humans (do we blame disease on those perceived as other or different?). Metaphors and analogies matter.
She is less sympathetic to individualism/exceptionalism. One of my favorite sections from the book is: "I do not need to consult an ethicist to determine that there is something wrong [with making a special exemption just for yourself]." She points out that when we give blood, we are doing it for others, not for ourselves. Getting vaccinated should be seen in this same light.
This was published in 2014 and it's still very relevant in 2021 in the midst of COVID vaccinations.
This is also a book that felt deeply relevant to me as the parent of a young child. The fear/anxiety of parenting in the 21st century is almost unbearable to me sometimes. It felt good to read someone as smart as Biss struggle with the same issues and parse their origins. There's a great section on how many parents value "purity" and cleanliness and things that are "natural" in parenting. Our fears are often out of whack with the actual risks.
This is also a book about the "us versus them" mentality both in terms of how we related to germs/viruses (are they foreign invaders or are they part of us?) and how we relate to other humans (do we blame disease on those perceived as other or different?). Metaphors and analogies matter.
ltlfroggie's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It is VERY well written and gives an amazing background on immunizations.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very readable and has lots of interesting information to offer. Biss explains where anti-vaccinators are coming from, their fears and concerns. I think I understand that a little better now, even though I don't agree with it in the slightest. Biss brings in lots of historical examples of how people have tried to prevent disease. The discussion of the weaponisation of disease and vaccination was fascinating and horrible to read about.
Biss also refutes most of the claims and fears of anti-vaccinators. I just think that she gives too much space to the fears, and not enough to the science. Even though her conclusions are that vaccinations are important, she spends so much time detailing erroneous fears and so little going into the reasons why vaccination is important and safe that the book doesn't read as balanced as Biss would like it to seem.
Biss also draws parallels to metaphors of disease and how they shape our thinking. Dracula is a recurring theme, and it was interesting to think about how people reacted to vampires then and now.
Biss also refutes most of the claims and fears of anti-vaccinators. I just think that she gives too much space to the fears, and not enough to the science. Even though her conclusions are that vaccinations are important, she spends so much time detailing erroneous fears and so little going into the reasons why vaccination is important and safe that the book doesn't read as balanced as Biss would like it to seem.
Biss also draws parallels to metaphors of disease and how they shape our thinking. Dracula is a recurring theme, and it was interesting to think about how people reacted to vampires then and now.
boitevide's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
hauteclere's review against another edition
5.0
Very well written, researched and argued this personal perspective on vaccination is an eye opener. It helped me understand how well educated people living in a technologically advanced society can still consider refusing vaccinations, when the science seems so clear, to me.
antoibar's review
5.0
Un libro interesante y actual. La escritora logra realmente captar la atención de personas no científicas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo el rigor de un buen ensayo. Un tremendo aporte para la divulgación científica.
matthewabush's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book not knowing quite what to expect. I don't know how scientific it was, but it did have some good conversations about immunizations. I appreciate her insight and mostly agree with what she said.
I do believe that it is a shame that some parents choose not to get their kids vaccinated. The fact that parents are leaving their kid's open to diseases that are so easily prevented is almost sad.
I was unaware before I read this book of "herd immunity." Mass vaccination becomes far more effective than individual vaccination. A vaccinated person living in a largely unvaccinated community has a higher chance of catching a disease than a unvaccinated person living in a largely vaccinated community. So, if you make the decision to skip your kid's vaccination you are riding on the coat tails of those who did vaccinate and are contributing to an environment that puts everybody at greater risk.
I do believe that it is a shame that some parents choose not to get their kids vaccinated. The fact that parents are leaving their kid's open to diseases that are so easily prevented is almost sad.
I was unaware before I read this book of "herd immunity." Mass vaccination becomes far more effective than individual vaccination. A vaccinated person living in a largely unvaccinated community has a higher chance of catching a disease than a unvaccinated person living in a largely vaccinated community. So, if you make the decision to skip your kid's vaccination you are riding on the coat tails of those who did vaccinate and are contributing to an environment that puts everybody at greater risk.