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More copies of this ISBNThis title in other editionseBook editionsThe Speckled Monster: A Historical Tale of Battling Smallpoxby Jennifer Lee Carrell
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:A timely book about history's first desperate efforts to conquer the spotted beast of smallpox. What is it like to be caught in the terror and chaos of a smallpox epidemic when you and those you love are unprotected? What is it like to get smallpox, or to watch your children battle the disease? The Speckled Monster tells the dramatic story-both historical and timely-of two parents who dared to fight back against the disease. After barely surviving the agony of smallpox themselves, they both flouted eighteenth-century European medical tradition by borrowing folk knowledge from African slaves and eastern women in frantic bids to protect their children. From their heroic struggles stem the modern science of immunology as well as the vaccinations that remain our only hope should the disease ever be unleashed again. Jennifer Lee Carrell transports readers back to the early eighteenth century to tell the tales of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Dr. Zabdiel Boylston: two iconoclastic figures who helped save the cities of London and Boston from the deadliest disease mankind has known. Review:"[I]ntriguing....Carrell's novelistic treatment of this story...is engaging in spite of an overabundance of fabricated conversations and scenes that slow the action." Publishers Weekly Review:"An overlong but informative tale....Carrell inclines toward a too-inclusive use of historical material, resulting in a narrative that runs on far too long....Still, there is much good information here....For those who take their medicine with an air of mayhem." Kirkus Reviews Review:"The Speckled Monster's lighter style and lack of an index will reduce its value for academic libraries, but its informative and entertaining format makes it a fascinating read for the general public." Library Journal Synopsis:A timely book about history's first desperate efforts to conquer the spotted beast of smallpox. The Speckled Monster tells the dramatic story — both historical and timely — of two parents who dared to fight back against the disease. Synopsis:Includes bibliographical references (p. [465]-474).
About the AuthorJennifer Lee Carrell holds a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Harvard University. A writer for Smithsonian magazine, she has taught in the history and literature programs at Harvard. Table of ContentsLondon — Two Marys — Three rebellions — A destroying angel — Bidding the world adieu — A dear little son — Rosebuds in lily skin — Boston — Zabdiel & Jerusha — Curiosities of the smallpox — The beauty of the sea — Caging the demon — Dr. William Douglass — Fathers and sons — Hell upon earth — Salutation alley — Prying multitudes — An infusion of malignant filth — The castle of misery — Signs and wonders — Newgate — An hour of mourning — The King's pardon — Raw head and bloody bones — Just retribution — In royal fashion — Aftermath — Final encounters — The practice — The people.
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