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1918: The Great Pandemic
*FIRST PLACE, LITERARY FICTION -- Independent Publishers of New England Book Awards (IPNE.org). Written by a doctor of Internal Medicine, "1918" is a rigorously researched and accurate historical novel about the pandemic that killed up to 100 million people. The story is told through the eyes of Dr. Edward Noble, an army major and infectious disease sub-specialist, whose unique position in Boston allows him to detect an emerging influenza strain that is an unprecedented global threat. The actual medical literature and terminology of the time, plus real personal accounts of the pandemic, are used to put the reader in the mind of this early 20th century physician. KIRKUS REVIEWS said, "... (Dr.) Noble is an appealing, knowledgeable focal point in this fictionalized rendering of the great pandemic. ...Affecting characters and dramatic storytelling..." BOOKIDEAS.com said, "5 Stars." "I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone... A great story that weaves the reader between a macro view of one of the most deadly pandemics in history, yet within the chapters there are precious, personal moments that humanize the hero that Dr. Noble unwittingly, yet humbly portrays to the rest of the world. A great read on all levels!" *AWARD WINNER, HISTORICAL FICTION, READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD - READERSFAVORITE.com said, "5 Stars." "...1918 is a must read..." The meticulous narrative undeniably has the ability to transport readers back to the era..."
774 pages, ebook
First published June 7, 2013
503 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 16, 2019
The absolute best book on understanding the 1918 flu epidemic. A fine historical novel written by an internal medicine specialist with the literary chops of a poet. A long read but well worth the effort! 5/5
PS Understand the author has a new novel called “1980” on the Aids epidemic coming this fall. You betcha I’ll be reading that too!
PS Understand the author has a new novel called “1980” on the Aids epidemic coming this fall. You betcha I’ll be reading that too!
March 31, 2016
Wow! This is an astonishing book. I'd heard about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic but never really fathomed how horrific it was. People dropping dead on the street, dead bodies lining the streets for collection like rubbish, entire communities wiped out, death in a matter of hours for some, and most victims were young and healthy.
That this book was written by a doctor means there is a fair bit of medical jargon, don't let that put you off though. It's quite well written considering the author isn't a professional writer. I really empathised with the main character and was often left in tears. This is historical fiction at it's best. I can't remember the last time I learned so much from one book!
That this book was written by a doctor means there is a fair bit of medical jargon, don't let that put you off though. It's quite well written considering the author isn't a professional writer. I really empathised with the main character and was often left in tears. This is historical fiction at it's best. I can't remember the last time I learned so much from one book!
April 22, 2020
There's a great story hidden in this badly written book. Long paragraphs of wooden dialogue. Each charcter is introduced with their height and weight. Unreadable.
January 17, 2017
Fascinating!
This is written for those interested in medical stories. The level of scientific vocabulary is above the knowledge of most of us, but if you have any medical background and an online dictionary you will enjoy this book. I wish there had been better proofreading and writing though.
This is written for those interested in medical stories. The level of scientific vocabulary is above the knowledge of most of us, but if you have any medical background and an online dictionary you will enjoy this book. I wish there had been better proofreading and writing though.
January 16, 2021
Very informative of the 1918 pandemic. I enjoyed the story line, the way it was written, it was a smooth read. This book was recommended to me by a friend, glad he did. So interesting, a page turner for sure. I would recommend this book to everyone who still does not understand the whole pandemic thing.
February 20, 2014
1918 by Dr. David Cornish is an intriguing story of the perseverance of the human spirit over seemingly insurmountable odds. The time period is 1918, and the country is deep in battle in WWI when a new enemy enters the global stage and swiftly threatens the very existence of the general populace the world over.
This story revolves around the fictional Dr. Edward Noble, an Army Major, as he confronts the most deadly (and very real) influenza pandemic in history. How, towards the end of WWI, this virulent strain of influenza wreaked absolute havoc in the U.S. and around the world as millions of people succumb to a horrific death with a force so violent as described on page 277;
1918 chronicles a very personal account, how a prominent physician and his family might have reacted to this pandemic that was occurring as the nation was focusing primarily on keeping pace with the war efforts. Dr. Noble and associates are bewildered in how to treat and study a disease as it infects and kills mercilessly; army draftees, hospital staff, neighbors, family...few people are spared, and the infected die an agonizing death, yet Dr. Noble persists in his efforts to warn the nation despite direct orders to the contrary. He does not give up in trying to understand the demon and how and why it kills.
A book rich in medical terminology, 1918 engages the reader to experience the pandemic through the eyes of someone on the front line of this war, a doctor of Internal Medicine who specializes in Infectious Disease Control. For anyone with an interest in medicine, there is an undeniable appreciation for the medical advances that have occurred in the past 100 years. Advances ranging from diagnosing patients in WWI era when knowledge of virology and bacteriology, to the most recent accomplishment of having sequenced all eight 1918 influenza genes in 2005, and how research continues to this day at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. However, this is more than a fictional account of a very real significant event in history. It is an account of how one man defies the odds, orders, and took on a responsibility that was much greater than himself, garnering the respect, devotion, and admiration of countless many during this dark time in history. How family, friends, and colleagues support Dr. Noble through his campaign against this deadly pandemic and come to his side when he faces an unjust court martial and seemingly endless deaths, particularly when the demon claims two of his own children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in a medical-based storyline fueled by the power of sacrifice, dedication, and sense of honor that comes from doing the right thing, despite odds and direct orders. It's a compelling journey of incredible feats in trying to save people, such as President Wilson as he was (with some inside staff help) negotiating U.S. interests at the Paris Peace Conference while secretly being treated for influenza.
However as all good heroism efforts go and for the remarkable few who fulfill those roles, there is also support staff behind the scenes that contribute greatly to a hero's success. For me, I readily identified with one such character - Dr. Noble's wife, Lillian. A well-educated lady in the medical sciences herself, she serves as a recognized epidemiologist who helps her husband track the influenza virus and make predictions concerning its movement, spread, and deadly aftermath. Lillian is also crucial in establishing community efforts through the Red Cross and other similar organizations of preparing for the epidemic by gathering supplies and sharing knowledge of what is happening and how to prepare for it.
1918 is a great story that weaves the reader between a macro view of one of the most deadly pandemics in history, yet within the chapters there are precious, personal moments that humanize the hero that Dr. Noble unwittingly, yet humbly portrays to the rest of the world. A great read on all levels!
This story revolves around the fictional Dr. Edward Noble, an Army Major, as he confronts the most deadly (and very real) influenza pandemic in history. How, towards the end of WWI, this virulent strain of influenza wreaked absolute havoc in the U.S. and around the world as millions of people succumb to a horrific death with a force so violent as described on page 277;
"Blood can spurt from their nose and mouth with enough power to travel several feet...Their coughing so forceful that it tears apart the muscles and cartilage of their chests...Many have had both their eardrums blown open by the infection, and they scream in agony with the pain of it."
1918 chronicles a very personal account, how a prominent physician and his family might have reacted to this pandemic that was occurring as the nation was focusing primarily on keeping pace with the war efforts. Dr. Noble and associates are bewildered in how to treat and study a disease as it infects and kills mercilessly; army draftees, hospital staff, neighbors, family...few people are spared, and the infected die an agonizing death, yet Dr. Noble persists in his efforts to warn the nation despite direct orders to the contrary. He does not give up in trying to understand the demon and how and why it kills.
A book rich in medical terminology, 1918 engages the reader to experience the pandemic through the eyes of someone on the front line of this war, a doctor of Internal Medicine who specializes in Infectious Disease Control. For anyone with an interest in medicine, there is an undeniable appreciation for the medical advances that have occurred in the past 100 years. Advances ranging from diagnosing patients in WWI era when knowledge of virology and bacteriology, to the most recent accomplishment of having sequenced all eight 1918 influenza genes in 2005, and how research continues to this day at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. However, this is more than a fictional account of a very real significant event in history. It is an account of how one man defies the odds, orders, and took on a responsibility that was much greater than himself, garnering the respect, devotion, and admiration of countless many during this dark time in history. How family, friends, and colleagues support Dr. Noble through his campaign against this deadly pandemic and come to his side when he faces an unjust court martial and seemingly endless deaths, particularly when the demon claims two of his own children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in a medical-based storyline fueled by the power of sacrifice, dedication, and sense of honor that comes from doing the right thing, despite odds and direct orders. It's a compelling journey of incredible feats in trying to save people, such as President Wilson as he was (with some inside staff help) negotiating U.S. interests at the Paris Peace Conference while secretly being treated for influenza.
However as all good heroism efforts go and for the remarkable few who fulfill those roles, there is also support staff behind the scenes that contribute greatly to a hero's success. For me, I readily identified with one such character - Dr. Noble's wife, Lillian. A well-educated lady in the medical sciences herself, she serves as a recognized epidemiologist who helps her husband track the influenza virus and make predictions concerning its movement, spread, and deadly aftermath. Lillian is also crucial in establishing community efforts through the Red Cross and other similar organizations of preparing for the epidemic by gathering supplies and sharing knowledge of what is happening and how to prepare for it.
1918 is a great story that weaves the reader between a macro view of one of the most deadly pandemics in history, yet within the chapters there are precious, personal moments that humanize the hero that Dr. Noble unwittingly, yet humbly portrays to the rest of the world. A great read on all levels!
October 7, 2015
Excellent historical based novel on the deadliest pandemic 1918 by MD David CornishDavid Cornish
Who would know that the epicenter of this most infamous pandemic in human history was a small town in Kansas USA? Dr.Cornish layman friendly account of the mother of pandemics, 1918, has improved my perspective on this 1918 killer immeasurably. It was a well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative handling of this cataclysmic event at the turn of the 20th century. Without diluting the story too much, Dr. Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical figures, and First World War events to give us the gruesome details of the deadliest influenza virus in history. Not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms touching the lives of every member in society were described comprehensively by Dr. Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Noble was the one fine man's fight against the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and hence with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
Who would know that the epicenter of this most infamous pandemic in human history was a small town in Kansas USA? Dr.Cornish layman friendly account of the mother of pandemics, 1918, has improved my perspective on this 1918 killer immeasurably. It was a well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative handling of this cataclysmic event at the turn of the 20th century. Without diluting the story too much, Dr. Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical figures, and First World War events to give us the gruesome details of the deadliest influenza virus in history. Not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms touching the lives of every member in society were described comprehensively by Dr. Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Noble was the one fine man's fight against the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and hence with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
October 7, 2015
Mother of all pandemics story narrated brilliantly by MD David Cornish
Thanks to Dr Cornish, my perspective on this 1918 killer has improved immeasurably by his well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative storytelling skills. Without diluting the story too much, Dr Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical personalities and First World War events to give us a solid and meaty account of the deadliest influenza virus in history. Not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms were described comprehensively by Dr Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Nobe, one fine man's fight with the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
Thanks to Dr Cornish, my perspective on this 1918 killer has improved immeasurably by his well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative storytelling skills. Without diluting the story too much, Dr Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical personalities and First World War events to give us a solid and meaty account of the deadliest influenza virus in history. Not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms were described comprehensively by Dr Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Nobe, one fine man's fight with the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
October 7, 2015
1918 by MD David Cornish, A story about the mother of all pandemics
Thanks to Dr Cornish, my perspective on this 1918 killer has improved immeasurably by his well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative storytelling skills. Without diluting the story too much, Dr Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical personalities and First World War events to give us a gruesome account on the deadliest influenza pandemic. Happened 100 years ago when vaccines and Tamiflu were still unheard of, not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms were described comprehensively by Dr Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Nobe, one fine man's fight with the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
Thanks to Dr Cornish, my perspective on this 1918 killer has improved immeasurably by his well researched, insightful, sensitive and imaginative storytelling skills. Without diluting the story too much, Dr Cornish used necessary amounts of medical jargon, historical personalities and First World War events to give us a gruesome account on the deadliest influenza pandemic. Happened 100 years ago when vaccines and Tamiflu were still unheard of, not only has the 1918 pandemic killed millions, the far-reaching effects of the disease in socioeconomic terms were described comprehensively by Dr Cornish. Also on a personal level, the protagonist Dr Edward Nobe, one fine man's fight with the lethal influenza virus plus the support of many must endure the immense tragedy of the death of two of his precious children but also with his own near death experience with influenza pneumonia. The best part of the story was the epilogue. Written in 2013 and with the benefit of hindsight, it was a fantastic omniscient account on the scientific research on influenza virus culminating with the discovery of the 1918 influenza virus by Taubenberger in 1999 and its laboratory reconstruction by Tumpey in 2005.
September 3, 2014
While I have classified this book as 'DNF' (did not finish), I am setting it aside for later- the reason being, a couple chapters in, it is little more than a dry history... I like dry history, but not what I am in the mood for. Will put back on the 'to-be-read' shelf because I was hooked enough to return to it when that is what I am in the mood for.
April 29, 2020
Interesting but poorly written and edited
Given the current Covid 19 pandemic, 1918 is an interesting book to read. It attempts to bring to life the history of the pandemic by sharing the story of the effects of the 1918 pandemic on one family. It is unfortunate that it’s poorly written and edited, however, making it a challenge to finish.
Given the current Covid 19 pandemic, 1918 is an interesting book to read. It attempts to bring to life the history of the pandemic by sharing the story of the effects of the 1918 pandemic on one family. It is unfortunate that it’s poorly written and edited, however, making it a challenge to finish.
Read
February 20, 2018This was a book I could not put down. I loved all of the subplots & accuracy to the 191i8 pandemicib
Jan Treptow
Jantreptow13@gmail.com
Great book accurate & engaging. I could not put this book down & actually read it twice.
Jan Treptow
Jantreptow13@gmail.com
Great book accurate & engaging. I could not put this book down & actually read it twice.
October 19, 2015
I throughly enjoyed this book. The time and characters came alive for me. It reminded me how much I enjoy historical fiction!
December 21, 2015
Factional fiction to inform us of the deadliest pandemic in history.
June 26, 2020
A Good Tale Poorly Told
1918, by David Cornish, MD, is a novel for the twenty-first century. It describes the swath of destruction wrought by influenza in 1918-20 through the eyes of a military physician and his family. I read it to help make sense of COVID-19’s affect on my world.
It’s a good story. The hero, fictional Dr. Edward Noble, may seem too good to be true, but he possesses a certain charm that makes his lack of imperfections likable, if not always believable. Noble’s interaction with real people provided a number of the “of course!” moments that, for me, are the magic of historical fiction.
Sadly, the story too often bogs down in detail. This reader tired quickly of hearing every course of every meal aboard ship or train or at a hotel described. Medical jargon, some of which was absolutely necessary, took the reader into places few would understand. To his credit, the author rarely tried to “dumb down” the medical terminology; however, a lot of it merely bogged down the story. Where Cornish weaves his plot, the novel moves at a steady, though not brisk, pace. Where he attempts to describe setting, procedure, or character, he often goes too far.
In spite of the design flaws, I persevered to the end of 1918 because I cared what would happen to the Nobles. I was not disappointed. What did disappoint me was the lack of an Author’s Note at the end. This would be where Cornish reveals the real people who inhabit the tale and identifies the fictional characters and settings. He never does that. Instead, he ends with page after page of information on what we have learned about influenza since 1918.
One further note, and this is the most common complaint I’ve seen about this book. The typos and wrong word usage are so prevalent as to be distracting. I gave up recording them after the first three dozen screen shots. I have since learned these errors may only appear in the Kindle edition and not in print. I hope so. I suspect even the print edition still has a character in 1919 drinking a bottle of Miller Genuine Draft, which first hit the market in 1986.
Ultimately, Dr. Cornish’s novel lacked only one thing that would have given the Noble story a proper vehicle: quality editing.
1918, by David Cornish, MD, is a novel for the twenty-first century. It describes the swath of destruction wrought by influenza in 1918-20 through the eyes of a military physician and his family. I read it to help make sense of COVID-19’s affect on my world.
It’s a good story. The hero, fictional Dr. Edward Noble, may seem too good to be true, but he possesses a certain charm that makes his lack of imperfections likable, if not always believable. Noble’s interaction with real people provided a number of the “of course!” moments that, for me, are the magic of historical fiction.
Sadly, the story too often bogs down in detail. This reader tired quickly of hearing every course of every meal aboard ship or train or at a hotel described. Medical jargon, some of which was absolutely necessary, took the reader into places few would understand. To his credit, the author rarely tried to “dumb down” the medical terminology; however, a lot of it merely bogged down the story. Where Cornish weaves his plot, the novel moves at a steady, though not brisk, pace. Where he attempts to describe setting, procedure, or character, he often goes too far.
In spite of the design flaws, I persevered to the end of 1918 because I cared what would happen to the Nobles. I was not disappointed. What did disappoint me was the lack of an Author’s Note at the end. This would be where Cornish reveals the real people who inhabit the tale and identifies the fictional characters and settings. He never does that. Instead, he ends with page after page of information on what we have learned about influenza since 1918.
One further note, and this is the most common complaint I’ve seen about this book. The typos and wrong word usage are so prevalent as to be distracting. I gave up recording them after the first three dozen screen shots. I have since learned these errors may only appear in the Kindle edition and not in print. I hope so. I suspect even the print edition still has a character in 1919 drinking a bottle of Miller Genuine Draft, which first hit the market in 1986.
Ultimately, Dr. Cornish’s novel lacked only one thing that would have given the Noble story a proper vehicle: quality editing.
August 1, 2023
This was an interesting book. It was fascinating to read, it actually did a wonderful job talking about the reality of the 1918 flu pandemic. So why am I giving it a four star instead of a five star? Because I could immediately tell this was not published by a leading house, but rather independently. It was badly edited, numerous mistakes both spelling and grammatical errors. And even worse, in my book, is the fact that this author used material from others...name it, journals, books, reports, newspapers, probably medical journals as well...and in not one place did he give credit to anyone else. So anyone reading this book, will think this is all his work when it so obviously isn't. One of the first things you learn in medical school when doing research, is you never, ever take credit for someone else's work. I'm a PhD, I've written numerous papers, given talks on things like vaccinations. I find it absolutely deplorable, that this author presented this material this way. So, he did the writing, and an original story, fine. But if you used other people's work and do not present it...it's plagiarism. That the publishing company or whoever this group is, let this pass without demanding the honesty by the author towards others, shame on them! No excuse.
Okay, now I've finished my rant, I will still recommend this book to others who are like me, interested in pandemics. It was interesting to see that this book, written in 2013, seemed very prophetic to what happened in the COVID epidemic. Same mistakes made, same idiotic bureaucracy, same name calling, political shenanigans, people basically getting murdered from the virus because of idiocy in politics. Not much has changed. I think this book helps to put faces on people of that time period. I had a great grandmother who was a grand mal epileptic who was put into an insane asylum around that time period, and disappeared (died and was buried) because of lack of care in those places which were inundated with influenza. Very sad. Real good book, except for the lack of referencing/plagiarism. Just because you are writing a novel, doesn't excuse you from using not crediting the information you used!
Okay, now I've finished my rant, I will still recommend this book to others who are like me, interested in pandemics. It was interesting to see that this book, written in 2013, seemed very prophetic to what happened in the COVID epidemic. Same mistakes made, same idiotic bureaucracy, same name calling, political shenanigans, people basically getting murdered from the virus because of idiocy in politics. Not much has changed. I think this book helps to put faces on people of that time period. I had a great grandmother who was a grand mal epileptic who was put into an insane asylum around that time period, and disappeared (died and was buried) because of lack of care in those places which were inundated with influenza. Very sad. Real good book, except for the lack of referencing/plagiarism. Just because you are writing a novel, doesn't excuse you from using not crediting the information you used!
October 18, 2018
1918 Year of the world's worst ,yet almost forgotten Pandemic
I bet if you ask many people nowadays what the worst Pandemic disease was that has ravaged the world,most would still say The Black Death. Yet a mere 100 years ago the Spanish Flu killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide and quite possibly more.
The book centers around the Noble family. The family head is Dr. Edward Noble,a U.S. Army Major with the army's Communicable Diseases section in Boston,Mass. Through his eyes you see the effects of the World War on the country and world and then the horrors of the Spanish Flu pandemic on top of that. It also shows you how the Influenza personally affected not only his family,but other families in the U.S.
I enjoyed the book,cried some,got angry in places,and learned a lot,although this isn't the first time I have read about the Spanish Flu. I was a history major in college,yet like many,only knew a bare minimum about the pandemic until I began exploring what I could find out about it on the internet and through books. I had a personal reason in wanting to know more as my father lost 2 sisters to the Spanish influenza. They were both under 5 years old and died within 3 days of each other one a day before and one a day after my father's 4th birthday in November 1918.
I knew it was a horrible time,but didn't truly realize that as the disease ravaged on and took it's toll on humanity,that our own ancestors were experiencing a life that could have come straight out of an apocalyptic novel about death and destruction due to a horrible disease and the other appalling devastation caused by lack of food,medical supplies,and caregivers due to the death of so many.
I gave it 4 stars only because at times the descriptions of patients conditions got medically intense and could get a bit boring as it was updated over and over. Not a reason to pass on the book by all means tho!
I bet if you ask many people nowadays what the worst Pandemic disease was that has ravaged the world,most would still say The Black Death. Yet a mere 100 years ago the Spanish Flu killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide and quite possibly more.
The book centers around the Noble family. The family head is Dr. Edward Noble,a U.S. Army Major with the army's Communicable Diseases section in Boston,Mass. Through his eyes you see the effects of the World War on the country and world and then the horrors of the Spanish Flu pandemic on top of that. It also shows you how the Influenza personally affected not only his family,but other families in the U.S.
I enjoyed the book,cried some,got angry in places,and learned a lot,although this isn't the first time I have read about the Spanish Flu. I was a history major in college,yet like many,only knew a bare minimum about the pandemic until I began exploring what I could find out about it on the internet and through books. I had a personal reason in wanting to know more as my father lost 2 sisters to the Spanish influenza. They were both under 5 years old and died within 3 days of each other one a day before and one a day after my father's 4th birthday in November 1918.
I knew it was a horrible time,but didn't truly realize that as the disease ravaged on and took it's toll on humanity,that our own ancestors were experiencing a life that could have come straight out of an apocalyptic novel about death and destruction due to a horrible disease and the other appalling devastation caused by lack of food,medical supplies,and caregivers due to the death of so many.
I gave it 4 stars only because at times the descriptions of patients conditions got medically intense and could get a bit boring as it was updated over and over. Not a reason to pass on the book by all means tho!
February 12, 2022
The Kindle version is FULL of misspellings. Despite that, it's a fascinating story about the 1918 pandemic as told through a fictional character. I kept thinking that it was written just recently, because so many details paralleled the Covid pandemic that began in 2020, and that these details were exaggerated to fit. The book was written in 2013 -- we're repeating history.
I studied the history of medicine/pandemics for my history major and had recently read about the 1918 pandemic. The details in this book, written by an MD, seemed spot-on for much of it, but some seemed unbelievable, either because something similar is happening now or because I thought those facts were either much earlier or later in the history of medicine. It prompted me to read yet another non-fiction book about 1918 flu, and yes, the details are correct.
The story of the family is quite interesting apart from the pandemic, but the history told through this book is quite educational and incredibly on-point in 2022. This was a book I had a hard time putting down.
I studied the history of medicine/pandemics for my history major and had recently read about the 1918 pandemic. The details in this book, written by an MD, seemed spot-on for much of it, but some seemed unbelievable, either because something similar is happening now or because I thought those facts were either much earlier or later in the history of medicine. It prompted me to read yet another non-fiction book about 1918 flu, and yes, the details are correct.
The story of the family is quite interesting apart from the pandemic, but the history told through this book is quite educational and incredibly on-point in 2022. This was a book I had a hard time putting down.
November 28, 2020
Informative
I chose four stars for numerous reasons. Although compelling, the story lagged at some points. The medical terms, to a layman were rarely explained. One had to go by the gist of the story to imagine the medical presentation. There were many typos and some seemed to occur because the story may have been transcribed from audio. The main character faces many challenges and made a compelling character. The author pulled historical figures into the story in a believable manner and the timeline fit for the events. The use of passive tense instead of active voice made it difficult to completely engage in the story. I have read several nonfiction books on the Spanish Flu, which made this story relatable. The historical references aptly described the events surrounding the characters. It is clear a great abundance of research went into this work. A job well done, but not quite excellent as a historical fiction.
I chose four stars for numerous reasons. Although compelling, the story lagged at some points. The medical terms, to a layman were rarely explained. One had to go by the gist of the story to imagine the medical presentation. There were many typos and some seemed to occur because the story may have been transcribed from audio. The main character faces many challenges and made a compelling character. The author pulled historical figures into the story in a believable manner and the timeline fit for the events. The use of passive tense instead of active voice made it difficult to completely engage in the story. I have read several nonfiction books on the Spanish Flu, which made this story relatable. The historical references aptly described the events surrounding the characters. It is clear a great abundance of research went into this work. A job well done, but not quite excellent as a historical fiction.
June 14, 2020
This is work of fiction. The main character, his family, and associates recreate the 1918 Pandemic for the reader through their experiences. They all reside in Boston and surrounding area. This area is chosen as the epicenter of the novel because Boston is the first major city in the United States to be decimated by the 1918 flu.
I read this novel instead of rereading , The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry, which is technical and lengthy.
With the illiteracy licence of fiction, David Cornish is able to take you to variety of places connecting the dots as the flu gains a threshold in the in the United States. The book is lengthy because the descriptions of the characters, places and events are presented with tiresome detail. I also dislike needless connections to famous persons in history.
Warning: the descriptive detail of the characters death by " The Spanish Flu, " are heartbreaking.
For readers who like the scientific background behind the flu, the attachment at the end of the novel is of interest.
I read this novel instead of rereading , The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry, which is technical and lengthy.
With the illiteracy licence of fiction, David Cornish is able to take you to variety of places connecting the dots as the flu gains a threshold in the in the United States. The book is lengthy because the descriptions of the characters, places and events are presented with tiresome detail. I also dislike needless connections to famous persons in history.
Warning: the descriptive detail of the characters death by " The Spanish Flu, " are heartbreaking.
For readers who like the scientific background behind the flu, the attachment at the end of the novel is of interest.
February 6, 2021
With a title of "1918" and a prone body covered with a shroud on the cover, I expected this to be a story of the 1918 flu pandemic, with insights into the military involvement in the international spreading and mutation of the disease.
However, over half of the book was filler about family vacations to Cape Cod, family outings to baseball games, the background details of a continuing love triangle, native american lore, the suffragette movement and on and on and on...
I skipped those pages and learned to stop and read when there was a communication from a ship or a fellow doctor/officer stateside or overseas. Long and rambling chapters, but the eventual medical origins, hospitalizations, and the actual spread (military and civilian) of the "Spanish Flu" were very interesting.
I have updated my rating because the last two thirds of the book was an informative and detailed evolution of the pandemic from the development of variants to the challenges of the medical community to the collapse of social services and burial practices.
The reader can't help but draw uneasy parallels to COVID-19. It is so much more sanitary 100 years later and we have modern medical scientific advances, but politicians and people are still the same - naysayers and anti-maskers.
However, over half of the book was filler about family vacations to Cape Cod, family outings to baseball games, the background details of a continuing love triangle, native american lore, the suffragette movement and on and on and on...
I skipped those pages and learned to stop and read when there was a communication from a ship or a fellow doctor/officer stateside or overseas. Long and rambling chapters, but the eventual medical origins, hospitalizations, and the actual spread (military and civilian) of the "Spanish Flu" were very interesting.
I have updated my rating because the last two thirds of the book was an informative and detailed evolution of the pandemic from the development of variants to the challenges of the medical community to the collapse of social services and burial practices.
The reader can't help but draw uneasy parallels to COVID-19. It is so much more sanitary 100 years later and we have modern medical scientific advances, but politicians and people are still the same - naysayers and anti-maskers.
August 17, 2020
Review of 1918
I read this book due to my ongoing fascination with epidemiology and viral illnesses. I appreciated the medical details, as a Registered Nurse who has studied vaccine preventable diseases through CDC and New Mexico Dept. Of Health, so could ha e used more detail, but understand that this was intended for general reading. The family's trials were useful in showing the human side of the destruction of the pandemic, but at times I grew impatient with some of the detail. I appreciate the authorities all the circumstances together, from medical, military and even the Alaskan tragedy, which I think I had heard of.
I will recommend this book to others with similar interest.
I read this book due to my ongoing fascination with epidemiology and viral illnesses. I appreciated the medical details, as a Registered Nurse who has studied vaccine preventable diseases through CDC and New Mexico Dept. Of Health, so could ha e used more detail, but understand that this was intended for general reading. The family's trials were useful in showing the human side of the destruction of the pandemic, but at times I grew impatient with some of the detail. I appreciate the authorities all the circumstances together, from medical, military and even the Alaskan tragedy, which I think I had heard of.
I will recommend this book to others with similar interest.
June 10, 2020
2.5 stars rounded to 3.
This was a slow read for me. Definitely not a page turner; I put the book aside for periods. The amount of research put into this must have been staggering, but the dialogue is wooden and stilted in many places, sometimes the author appeared to be showing off his research versus weaving it into a story, and the book was littered with grammatical errors and generally seemed like it would be much better with a stronger editorial hand. It felt almost like the author should have just wrote a biography of Noble. Still, a timely novel, and if you're interested in pandemics, and the 1918 flu in particular, it might be worth a try.
This was a slow read for me. Definitely not a page turner; I put the book aside for periods. The amount of research put into this must have been staggering, but the dialogue is wooden and stilted in many places, sometimes the author appeared to be showing off his research versus weaving it into a story, and the book was littered with grammatical errors and generally seemed like it would be much better with a stronger editorial hand. It felt almost like the author should have just wrote a biography of Noble. Still, a timely novel, and if you're interested in pandemics, and the 1918 flu in particular, it might be worth a try.
April 11, 2020
History and life
I took up this story during Covid19 to learn more information about how 1918 handled a pandemic. This story was so much more than I expected. History told as people lived it, or as we believe they did. Those working the illness and how it effected them and their families. So much detail and history. Anyone that enjoys stories on illness, healthcare and history should enjoy this book.
I took up this story during Covid19 to learn more information about how 1918 handled a pandemic. This story was so much more than I expected. History told as people lived it, or as we believe they did. Those working the illness and how it effected them and their families. So much detail and history. Anyone that enjoys stories on illness, healthcare and history should enjoy this book.
April 16, 2020
Fascinating read.
This would be a difficult book to read for someone who is not acquainted with medical terminology.Not being able to understand the medical terminology makes it difficult to fully understand the horror And devastation of this virus. The editor and proofreader need to have another look and see to corrects minor errors.I would have liked to know what happened to the Noble family after the pandemic. They were/are a remarkable and heroic family.
This would be a difficult book to read for someone who is not acquainted with medical terminology.Not being able to understand the medical terminology makes it difficult to fully understand the horror And devastation of this virus. The editor and proofreader need to have another look and see to corrects minor errors.I would have liked to know what happened to the Noble family after the pandemic. They were/are a remarkable and heroic family.
July 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and it was the perfect time to read historical fiction about a pandemic that we are living once again. Wear your mask and stay home, people! I learned a ton and stayed up way past my bedtime on several occasions.
The only reason for the 4 stars is the many, many (did I say many? There are A LOT!) typographical and grammatical errors in the Kindle version - seems like someone should be double checking this sort of thing!?
The only reason for the 4 stars is the many, many (did I say many? There are A LOT!) typographical and grammatical errors in the Kindle version - seems like someone should be double checking this sort of thing!?
October 27, 2020
This book was recommended to me in April 2020 by my college roommate who is on faculty at Duke Medical School. She felt it was historically accurate and comparing the similarities and differences between the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic and the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic were worth considering. The fictional story provided an entertaining way to learn more about the 1918 Pandemic and reaffirm that as the old saying goes: "History repeats itself." -- Indeed it does!
February 5, 2021
Medically Detailed
This is a fantastic book for learning about the 1918 pandemic, but also WWI. I learned a lot!
There is extensive medical language but I did not think it got in the way of the story.
There are some editing issues. Again, I did not think these got in the way of the story.
The book is well researched and a must for understanding what life was like in the year 1918.
This is a fantastic book for learning about the 1918 pandemic, but also WWI. I learned a lot!
There is extensive medical language but I did not think it got in the way of the story.
There are some editing issues. Again, I did not think these got in the way of the story.
The book is well researched and a must for understanding what life was like in the year 1918.
April 8, 2020
This book is really a biography of Edward Noble.
Noble was instrumental in saving lives during the pandemic by advocating quarantining the public. The book is a good read but is totally about Noble and his work. It is also set in Boston and that is the background of the story. I got a little bored with the Red Sox sections.
Noble was instrumental in saving lives during the pandemic by advocating quarantining the public. The book is a good read but is totally about Noble and his work. It is also set in Boston and that is the background of the story. I got a little bored with the Red Sox sections.
April 30, 2020
Interesting and thorough
Liked: Interesting story content. Very thorough medical descriptions- at times too much for a non medical reader perhaps. Still able to gain a much better understanding of the sequences and effects of the pandemic.
Disliked: Multiple grammatical errors throughout the text.
Liked: Interesting story content. Very thorough medical descriptions- at times too much for a non medical reader perhaps. Still able to gain a much better understanding of the sequences and effects of the pandemic.
Disliked: Multiple grammatical errors throughout the text.
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