The 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic: The History and Legacy of the World's Deadliest Influenza Outbreak

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Steve Marvel

"One of the startling features of the pandemic was its sudden flaring up and its equally sudden decline, reminding one of a flame consuming highly combustible material, which died down as soon as the supply of the material was exhausted. There is every reason to believe that, within a few weeks of its onset, the infection was universally present in the nose and throat of the people, disseminated by mouth spray given off on talking by innumerable carriers and, in addition, by the coughing and sneezing of the sick. Susceptibility was very general, though it varied greatly in degree. Among those who escaped well marked sickness there are few who could not recall having had an occluded or running nose, or a raw feeling in the throat, or a cough, or aches and pains, at some time during the period of the prevalence of the disease, these probably representing the price such persons paid for their immunization." - Dr. Bernard Fantus

In many ways, it is hard for modern people living in first-world countries to conceive of a pandemic sweeping around the world and killing millions of people. And it is even harder to believe that something as common as influenza could cause such widespread illness and death. Although the flu still takes hundreds of lives each year, most of those lost are very young or old or ill with something else that had already weakened them. In fact, most people contract influenza at least once, and many suffer from the flu several times in their lives and survive it with a minimum amount of medical attention.

In 1918, the world was still in the throes of the Great War, the deadliest conflict in human history at that point, but while World War I would be a catastrophic war surpassed only by World War II, an unprecedented influenza outbreak that same year inflicted casualties that would make both wars pale in comparison.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors

take time to listen

this book opens the eyes to how much better health care is and how much better our medical community is educated and informed. it helps the reader understand why the civilized nations took the steps they did to bolster the governmental arm of the medical community.

Good and short historical read!

Informative, about the time. We haven't improved our containment of pandemics since this era, in USA.

My Gradfather lived thought he Spanish flu

Excellent history of the pandemic,
We learn it goes out With a bang
It was much worse in 1918 then today
In terms of deaths
Thank god for science in 2022

Complacency can kill

historical places events, historical research, Charles River Editors

Excellent! A nonjudgmental thesis on the influenza pandemic of the early 20th century, with survivors accounts by people across the USA as well as published statements by the Surgeon General of the day. There are many lessons to be learned, and implied warnings to be noted, as well as an appreciation of what it was to have the young and healthy be stricken and and over 20% of those die within days. As a retired nurse, I certainly comprehend the exhaustion and despair experienced by those attempting to care for the sick.
I bought the audio on sale.
Steve Marvel gave a perfect reading!

If you’ve seen the PBS documentary on the Spanish Flu you’ve heard this.

I was very disappointed to ralize that this is merely someone reading the transcript of the American Experience documentary on the Spanish Flu. I’ve seen the documentary many times and it is excellent. I highly revommend it. But this is but a dull echo. Watch the documentary instead. Very disappointed. Thought I was hearing something new.

very thorough

really enjoyed it and good narration, at least I thought it was an accurate account

So So Sad

I found myself feeling the loss that so many countless people experienced, so quick, so final.

Informative, comprehensive

While I have a better understanding of the scope of this tragedy after listening to the book, I think it could have been less statistical and contained fewer quotes from the head of the Public Heath Service and more personal stories to illustrate what a horrible thing it was for innocent American families. I would also like to see more about lessons learned that could perhaps prevent the same tragedy today.

Excellent and appropriate book for today's reader

In light of the current global pandemic, this book was fascinating and enlightening. I enjoyed hearing about this 100 year old story, retold for the modern reader. It affords the reader the opportunity to realize that, in spite of all of the advances in science and technology the world has seen in the past 100 years, the diabolical intents and purposes of a non-life form like a virus brings our advanced modern world to its knees. It was also interesting to note that most of the mitigation procedures that divide so many of us today were the same procedures that resulted in the same divisions and conflicts 100 years ago. "The more things change, the more they stay the same!" I think it is an excellent read for anyone living through this modern day equivalent, COVID 19.

great infulinzs 1918

i was thinking i was getting the long unabridged book which i read before