The Epidemic: A Global History of AIDS

by Jonathan Engel

Book Overview

From the Castro bathhouses to AZT and the denial of AIDS in South Africa, this sweeping look at AIDS covers the epidemic from all angles and across the world. Engel seamlessly weaves together science, politics, and culture, writing with an even handnoting the excesses of the more radical edges of the ACT UP movement as well as the conservative religious leaders who thought AIDS victims deserved what they got. The story of AIDS is one of the most compelling...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061144886
• ISBN13: 9780061144882
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (DC)
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

CF: Book Review for The Epidemic

The Epidemic: A Global History on Aids The topic of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is broad, complex, catastrophic, and incredibly interesting. ¬¬¬ Jonathan Engel's The Epidemic: A Global History of Aids does a coherent job in explaining the complex history of the AIDS epidemic. Engel breaks down the AIDS/HIV timeline and its catastrophic effect on the world beginning from the 1930's. He begins with the origins of AIDS and continues with its vast effect on people, its effect in different countries, differences in trends, societal views and morals, government action, civil rights, and global connections. Engel jumps right into the topic in the preface, leaving out unnecessary boring anecdotal information. As Engel focuses on the many facets of AIDS and its problems, he jumps from different topics, focusing one chapter on the science of AIDS and focusing on government and society in other chapters. This book is a comprehensive collection of short books. Engel, for instance, sums up the origins of AIDS with its similarity to the SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) in monkeys in Africa and then begins to tell the long story of AIDS how it made its way to the West. The book is interesting, making it a relatively easy read. Engel breaks this broad topic into chapters with sub-chapters This history itself is fascinating and the evidence Engel uses to support his information is excellent. Engel makes it easier to understand AIDS and HIV as it progressed in the 1930's through the 1990's. This book is a great resource to build a foundation to understand this virus from a social perspective. The Epidemic does not provide very much information about the myths that are associated with the denial of HIV causing AIDS. Although a few myths were mentioned, Engel refuted those claims in short, swift sentences in his summary. Engel portrays a very neutral connotation when describing controversial situations regarding AIDS and society's reaction to it. The flow and cohesiveness of the book is more objective in its reporting on AIDS. For example, when relaying the details about the beginning of the outbreak, starting with its prevalence in homosexuals, and IV drugs users, Engel does a good job in explaining the situation from an objective point of view. He describes how AIDS is used as means for political gain, if not for moral humiliation by religious parties, then for homosexuals' Civil Rights or other political agendas. The Epidemic is very informative and does an excellent job in explaining and summarizing these difficult subjects. Instead of going too in-depth about how HIV and AIDS work, Engel simplifies this topic with more general terms, making it easier for any reader who is unfamiliar with this topic to understand. Engel describes how AIDS redefined the world, from its first appearances in homosexuals and how some people thought they deserved what they got, to how the third world countries struggled

Carefully documented history of AIDS

Not only is this book well documented and thorough, it is well written and interesting. So many opportunities for teaching AIDS awareness and prevention and opportunities for saving lives were missed because of misguided fear of teaching human sexuality and AIDS prevention. Because of such ignorance and fear, too many lives were lost. This is an excellent book for libraries, and should be on every church and school library shelf.

Fascinating look at the epidemic of our age

This is a well-written, fascinating account of a disease that will define our generation. The discussion of the social and political construct surrounding the epidemic was extremely interesting. I would highly recommend this book to any person who wants to understand the global AIDS crisis and its challenges a little better.

An excellent overview

This book gives an excellent overview of the history, spread and consequences of HIV as it spreads through the global population. Written in a clear and easy to read style it provides a depth of accurate information to the layperson that I do not think can be easily gotten elsewhere. I was particularly impressed with the author's grasp of the cultural aspects of the disease and the way in which beliefs, traditions and practices contribue to how effectively specific populations are coping with the virus. This book should be recommended reading!

Objective and Compelling

THE EPIDEMIC is a comprehensive and compelling history of AIDS - a devastating disease that has evoked not only human suffering, but medical, political, religious, and social controversy in the 25+ years since it exploded onto the world scene. Unlike some authors, who use the issue as a platform for whatever cause they are espousing, Jonathan Engel, Ph.D., offers a systematic exploration of the disease, its rapid and far-reaching proportions, the victims and their suffering, and the barriers to effective eradication. The author writes with great urgency, bringing clarity and focus to an affliction whose medical issues are often overshadowed by other factors. AIDS is a frightening illness, bringing agonizing suffering and death to countless numbers throughout the world. Yet, because of its origins, means of transmission, and perceptions of the "typical" patient, the human suffering is often ignored amidst strident politicizing - in effect dehumanizing its victims, transforming them into abstract stereotypes. Dr. Engel's research is comprehensive, his writing is clear and compelling, and his methodical exposition sheds important light onto a subject that many prefer would be swept into the dark crevices of society. The author puts a human face on a global pandemic; only through compassion, care, and nonjudgmental treatment and addressing of root causes, will the scourge ultimately be eliminated.