Spanish Flu. The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has shown that despite the advancement of medicine, we find ourselves defenseless against a new virus. The world has faced similar challenges before. Just over 100 years ago, far more people died from the influenza pandemic known as the "Spanish flu" than in World War I.
In the book by historian John Barry, readers will find much that is familiar. The lies and cowardice of politicians and officials, the heroism and desperate enthusiasm of scientists and doctors, the fear and panic of ordinary people—all these are characteristics of our own time. You will see how the world was then unprepared to conduct two wars simultaneously—against each other and against a deadly virus that, like enemy bullets, primarily killed the youngest and strongest. But this book is also a hymn to science, a hymn to medicine: it not only provides a vivid and exciting description of the struggle against the pandemic but also showcases a gallery of portraits of scientists, medical professionals, and politicians. In the future, humanity will repeatedly face unknown diseases, so it is essential to learn the lessons of the past well to avoid repeating previous mistakes.