Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis

by Leon Neyfakh

Genres: History, Audiobook, Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative.
Highly recommended.

[Matias Myllyrinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done audio documentary that sheds lights on events many of us remember. An eye opener on how medication was developed, the politics around AIDS and how the gay community reacted to the evolving threat.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an account of the early days of the Aids Crisis and the struggle for both a cure and to fight social norms against gays, addicts and the many people who were affected by the disease. The bigotry was astounding. This podcast focuses more on the street level and activists trying to bring change and make their voices heard to the medical community and the lack of response of the government.
While this covers drug efforts and political infighting, I felt it stopped short, too soon and had an abrupt ending. There should have been more coverage, especially about perceptions of the public.

[Catherine Puma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's the title/trailer description from Audible (because it's not included here on Goodreads):

"From the co-creators of Slow Burn, Fiasco is a narrative podcast that transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of America's most pivotal historical events.

"Using original interviews with dozens of key players, host Leon Neyfakh brings to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present day. The new season of Fiasco goes deep on the AIDS epidemic in America, with a special focus on the early years of the crisis, when a diagnosis was tantamount to a death sentence. The eight-part series looks at the mystery and missteps around identifying and treating a new, contagious disease, and what it took to get the public--and the government--to care."

I learned so much about the early years of the AIDS crisis in America, and I really appreciated just how much research and original audio is featured in this production. This is the only season of the FIASCO podcast I've listened to, so I cannot compare to other topics they've covered, but I liked it when Leon Neyfakh made the analogy to the COVID-19 pandemic as inspiration for putting this out in 2022.

I wish this had touched upon more of what other groups in the queer community were going through during this period, not just the gay men of San Fransisco and New York. Regardless, this is an important work and I'm glad I listened in observance of Pride Month 2025. The sections about hemophiliacs and why we still don't have an HIV vaccine or cure for AIDS were especially illuminating.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly thoughtful and well put together production. As someone born in the late 90s all I learned of AIDS was a footnote in my history textbook. Listening to this series taught me exactly why that is, as it showed the history of the United States ignoring marginalized communities plight in the AIDS epidemic. I did not realize what a fight it was for people at the beginnings of this disease. The podcast also covered the science behind why this disease has been so hard to fight, what it looks like for scientists when a pandemic breaks out, and the science behind the development for a cure. It masterfully delved into how science and politics meet and that the sufferer from political bars to progress is the people.
I do think it could’ve been one or two episodes longer. I felt like there was a pretty harsh jump from the regan administrations response to aids to just one episode on Clinton’s administration. I think each part of those timelines of this crisis deserved at least one more episode to fully explore the culture around AIDS at the time

[slp · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you've read And the Band Played On out watched How to Survive A Plague, some episodes will be less revelatory, but this documentary podcast does a wonderful job at amassing primary audio sources and interviews and telling this story effectively, and does expand beyond the book/documentary. It is an emotional listen. Disappointed that the podcast discusses Haitians as a population but never delves into their experiences.

[Terry McIntire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book/podcast probably best illustrates the shortcomings we still have in dealing with pandemics and the horrific results of politicizing them. I was in my 30s during the AID epidemic and while not having a large number of gay friends, I knew personally 5 who died and possibly more I had lost touch with. Hemophilia is in my family and 2 members were lost to this epidemic, making the mishandling of the blood supply especially interesting to me.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and delivered recounting of the AIDS crises beginning at the start. This isn’t a sanitized version of the story, so be ready for some graphic, perhaps shocking details.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would put this book on my top 10 list of best books I’ve ever read in my life! To be fair, I listened to it on Audible, but the point is the same. Exceptional book!