Review: Pandemic Survival It's Why You're Alive by Ann Love and Jane Drake

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

The Black Death. Yellow Fever. Smallpox. History is full of gruesome pandemics, and surviving those pandemics has shaped our society and way of life. Every person today is alive because of an ancestor who survived--and surviving our current and future pandemics, like SARS, AIDS, bird flu or a new and unknown disease, will determine our future. Pandemic Survival presents in-depth information about past and current illnesses; the evolution of medicine and its pioneers; cures and treatments; strange rituals and superstitions; and what we're doing to prevent future pandemics. Full of delightfully gross details about symptoms and fascinating facts about bizarre superstitious behaviors, Pandemic Survival is sure to interest even the most squeamish of readers.

MY TAKE:
As a former medical student, I find books like this one interesting.

In Pandemic Survival, readers get to learn about some of the different pandemics that swept through the U.S., England and other countries from ancient times until modern times.

I liked that there were numerous examples and stories that supported the medical and scientific facts in the book. This makes it easier to see the background and effects of the diseases and made the book less boring. The book can get technical at times, and the length and some of the language used may be intimidating to younger readers, but for those who find the topic fascinating, this book should be a fun book to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for the e-ARC. Publication date of Pandemic Survival It's Why You're Alive is on August 27, 2013.

THE GOOD:

1. It covers a wide range of topics.
2. It's very thorough.
3. There are plenty of interesting stories that people might not be familiar with yet.

THE BAD:

1. The illustration style might not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

A standard ship's diet of biscuit, cooked and salted meat or fish, and beer contained zero vitamin C.

READ IT IF:

1. Your child wants to be a doctor someday.
2. You or your child finds science and medicine interesting.
3. Your child likes almanacs and reference books.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?