The Spanish Flu: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has shown that, despite advancements in medicine, we are defenseless against a new virus. The world has faced such challenges before. Just over 100 years ago, the 'Spanish flu' claimed far more lives than the First World War. 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 signs of the present time as well. You will see how the world was unprepared to fight two wars simultaneously—against each other and against the 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 is not only a vivid and captivating description of the struggle against the pandemic but also a gallery of portraits of scientists, doctors, and politicians. In the future, humanity will face unknown diseases more than once, so it is essential to learn the lessons of the past well to avoid repeating previous mistakes.