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A review by rakoerose
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic—And How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson
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.