The Black Death

by Sean Martin

Book Overview

Explore the history behind the bubonic plague that left Europe reeling from one of the greatest losses in history The Black Death is the name most commonly given to the pandemic of bubonic plague that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785822895
• ISBN13: 9780785822899
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Chartwell Books
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.6" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

"An Interesting, Almost Scholarly Writing"

"The Black Death", Sean Martin, Chartwell Books, NJ, 2007. ISBN 10:0-7858-2289-5, HC 158/131. Appendix 10 pgs. further reads 10 pgs., Index 6 pgs. 7" x 5". A scholarly treatise with an overtly easy read for enhanced understandability and readability to the non-scientific layperson, this book is perhaps an important one in understanding the more complex issues raised by the specter of epidemic and pandemic `plagues' which have wrought havoc on the Earth's populations and entire nations, cultures and religions since first recorded case in 430 BC. This book concentrates largely on the "Black Plague" which struck between 1328 and 1352, mainly years 1347 to 1349, but deals also with lesser plagues and some closely related pestilences whose etiology remains obscure but subject to knowledgeable discourse, and includes Ebola, small pox (Red Plague), dysenteries, typhus, anthrax, influenzas, and a variety of named Plagues (Great, Grey, Red, bubonic etc.). This study was necessarily based on written historical records, many originally chronicled in archives of churches, etc. and written by survivors of the disease. The response of the Church to the origin, impact and dealings with the sick is detailed. Etiology of "Black Death" was eventually ascribed to humans infected with bacterium Yesinia pestis after bitten and thus inoculated by the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopsis. There followed an almost immediate course of sepsis with swollen lymphatic nodes or buboes that suppurate, pneumonias, septic syndrome and death usually within 1-3 days. Mortality rates vary from 60-95%, populations often decimated 25-30%. The epidemiology of the disease is nicely discussed by the author who traces the initial cases from the Mediterranean to world-wide dissemination via trade routes, cargo ships, caravans, etc. via rats, fleas and human contacts.