An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Jim Murphy. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. 165 pages. $17.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-395-77608-2. Grades 6-12.  

“No one knew that a killer was already moving through their streets…an invisible stalker that would go house to house until it had touched everyone in some terrible way.” This mysterious killer was soon identified as yellow fever, and its unrelenting wrath ultimately killed thousands of Philadelphians in 1793. Jim Murphy transports readers to that summer, when the air was thick with heat and reeked of spoiled coffee, stale water, and rotting sewage. He spares none of the gruesome details of suffering and artfully recreates the fear and panic of the infected city. In addition to first hand accounts from sufferers, medical professionals, government officials, and observers; Murphy weaves historic documents and materials in to this intricate, captivating account. This terrifyingly true account expounds on the debated and controversial treatments of the fever, the political unrest and instability that it caused, and selfless activism exemplified by individuals and organizations. The roles of key players like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and the Free African Society are sure to enlighten and engage readers while sparking their interest in history. Murphy also includes an extensive list of related resources to encourage future examination of the intricacies and situations surrounding the yellow fever. Highly Recommended

My Thoughts...

I tend to stray from books that cause my stomach to turn, but the nausea and ‘squirms’ that I felt while reading this book definitely speak to how well written this detailed and engaging book is. The attention to detail in the text itself was supplemented with the quotes at the start of each chapter, as well as the excerpts from papers and personal records. I found myself trying to read every name and every article in order to get more involved in the text. The style of this book is different to what I am used to, and I kept wanting it to be told in a narrative form. Although there were not characters telling the story, the key players were thoroughly developed and I looked forward to hearing their side/view of history. I especially liked reading about the different cures and opinions of the medical professionals. I found that I read this text more slowly than I would have a fiction novel because I was trying to actually learn about yellow fever, but I found that this nonfiction reading was infinitely more enjoyable than a textbook. I also loved that as a reader I was only as knowledgeable as the characters were at any given point of the book. I kind of knew that mosquitoes carried yellow fever, but I my knowledge increased as the book and time progressed. I was thrilled the there were so many suggested readings as well. As a future librarian I appreciate how the author broke the resources down by type and topic and included a brief synopsis.

Potential Response... 

This title relies heavily on details and facts, but it does not list or drone on about either, much like a textbook could/would. Therefore, I think young adults would find learning about yellow fever’s role in American history much more interesting through this book. Murphy appeals to all five senses through the details in this book, and I find that boys in particular would enjoy the way putrid smells and morbid scenes are described. The suspense and fear that is reflected in the text is also engaging and will pique the interest of young adults as well. I do wonder if the general teenage “I know everything” would kick in while they read this book. The Philadelphians were acting pretty loony, but in their defense they didn’t have the same knowledge of modern medicine our teens have. I think some teenagers may sneer at their ‘ignorance.’ I do think that readers of this book who have an inkling of interest in history or medicine will have a strong desire to learn or read more. There is social, political, medical and even religious history in this novel, which I think would make it appeal to a wide variety of teenagers. Nonfiction books are often hard to get in to, but the details and all of a sudden presence of the problem in this book is sure to get their attention. This book can definitely grab readers’ attention just as suddenly has yellow fever hit Philadelphia.

Reminds me of......

I hate to admit it, but I am very unfamiliar with nonfiction titles for young adults. The nonfiction I am most familiar with tends to be more autobiographical/biographical, like Frida: Viva la Vida =Long Live Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; or considered fiction like The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle. These books and other nonfiction titles I have read do focus on characters and tell an individual’s experience with an event or historical period or their life; whether the character is real or not. Like I mentioned in my personal reaction, this book has key players, but their individual stories are not told, rather Murphy gives an overview of the event in detail with supporting facts.