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Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence: From Ancient Times to the Present (Facts on File Library of World History) Hardcover – Illustrated, September 1, 2007

by George Childs Kohn (Editor)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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Tracing the history of infectious diseases from the Philistine plague of 11th century BCE to recent SARS and avian flu scares, this encyclopedia is a comprehensive A-Z reference offering international coverage of this timely and fascinating subject.
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  1. Print length
    529 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Facts on File
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    8.69 x 1.17 x 11.18 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0816069352
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0816069354
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

An encyclopedia of actual epidemics or outbreaks rather than of the diseases or of the individuals involved in eradicating or studying disease, this work covers the known major outbreaks from ancient times to the present. Previous editions did not give any information about the diseases themselves, leaving that job to medical encyclopedias. However, in this new edition, the appendix that indexes entries by disease does give brief information on cause, symptoms, prevention, and treatment for each one. Several scares since the last edition’s publication, in 2001, involving, for example, the Ebola virus, mad cow disease, and SARS, have warranted considerable updating of several articles and the additions of others. The bibliography has been expanded, but the most up-to-date and easy-to-find references for the reader are at the end of each entry. Photos and prints of historical paintings and drawings appear throughout the book, which is useful as an introduction to the history of the outbreaks of infectious diseases and for the references leading to further research. Libraries with extensive health collections will want to add this to their collections, especially if the previous edition was heavily used. --Elaine Lindstrom

Review

.,."a useful resource for high school and public libraries..."

.,."does an excellent job...a conscious effort to put a human perspective on pestilence...Given the climate of the times and the concerns about bioterrorism, this title would be useful for a variety of subject areas. Recommended."

.,."the entries provide vivid historical detail ...No other work approaches this topic in such a brief, encyclopedic manner...a useful addition to any academic reference collection..."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Facts on File; 3rd ed. edition (September 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 529 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0816069352
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0816069354
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.69 x 1.17 x 11.18 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kim K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have a previous version, and this one is incredibly well updated.
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jbtough
4.0 out of 5 stars Depressing but vital
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
Global, historic, hard to find information. .
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Mary Ellen Snodgrass
3.0 out of 5 stars Hit or Miss
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2007
Verified Purchase
Kohn compiles informative entries, maps, and illustrations alongside dull, poorly written, and oddly dehumanized commentaries, particularly the spotty coverage of the Spanish Influenza of 1917-1919. Surprisingly overlooked is the threat of smallpox to the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a subject admirably covered in Elizabeth Ann Fenn's Pox Americana. Also omitted are entries on leprosy, trachoma, and Lyme disease. Indexing is thorough, but tedious and difficult to use. How has so weak a reference work advanced to a third edition?
4 people found this helpful
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Severin Olson
5.0 out of 5 stars IT'S ALL HERE
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2005
Above all an encyclopedia should be comprehensive. It is most disappointing to read one covering only material one already knows. This one does not disappoint. The author, (editor), has done his homework and given the reader a glimpse of how destructive infectious disease can be. From Canada to New Zealand; ancient times to the present; and Aids to Yellow Fever, we learn how mankind has had to cope with pestilence. Kohn even includes outbreaks of diseases I never knew existed (Miliary Fever?).

Although I like the A-Z format used here, I have to agree with the last reviewer that it can be a touch confusing. One doesn't always know if an epidemic should be looked up under the name of a city, locality or country. But this is a small flaw. Readers should also be aware that the book has been updated.
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ealovitt
3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating to browse but poorly organized
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2016
Some encyclopedias such as "The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers," "The Encyclopedia of Country Living," or "The Cat Fanciers' Association Cat Encyclopedia" are interesting and well-organized enough to be read straight through. The same cannot be said of "Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence," mainly because of the way its subjects are ordered. I would have been tempted to arrange the encyclopedia by disease, then historical occurrences within the disease category. Instead, the editor used a strictly alphabetical format that usually begins with the name of a country or city, e.g. "African Influenza Epidemic of 1890" is followed by "Albenga Meningitis Epidemic of 1815." There are also plagues listed under the names of emperors and saints, e.g. Antonine Plague, Plague of Cyprian, and Plague of Justinian.

Luckily, there are several appendices including a "Timetable of Plague and Pestilence" and a "Geographical Appendix." One of the more interesting entries in the latter appendix is "Ancient History"--not precisely a geographical entity but containing references to plagues such as the "Thasian Mumps Epidemic" (c. 410 B.C.), and the "Cough of Perinthus" (c. 410 B.C.).

This book was published in 1995, so it is slightly outdated as far as AIDS (the only entries are for Africa and the United States), and some of the hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, although the Zairian Ebola Epidemic of 1976 is thoroughly covered. The SARS virus, and the new potential mass killer, the H5N1 avian flu virus are not included, but articles can be found on the H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2 influenza outbreaks (if you know to look under headings such as "Russian (Red) Influenza Pandemic of 1977-78" for H1N1.)

The encyclopedic entries generally offer a discussion of how and when an epidemic started, how or why it occurred or spread, whom it affected, and what the eventual outcome was. Also included (when available) is the number of casualties, symptoms, and historical implications. For instance, under "Dancing Mania (St. John's Dance, St. Vitus's Dance, Tarantism)" the author reports that "...dancing mania was closely related to the flagellant movement--a cult desperate to find someone or something responsible for the Black Death..."

The entries in the "Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence" are fascinating to browse, but if you are trying to research a particular disease such as cholera, you will be making heavy use of this book's 8-point-type index. A magnifying glass is strongly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
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Annette W. Davis
2.0 out of 5 stars Narrow focus limits usefulness in school libraries
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2009
My discovery that this book is not particularly helpful in understanding influenza or swine flu is probably one shared by many librarians at this point in time. While the index lists articles about many different outbreaks of influenza, there is not a general article about influenza or cholera or yellow fever. Certainly that information can be found in a general encyclopedia but the micro focus of this title does limit its usefulness in school libraries. I would recommend that school librarians look at other titles in this area.
One person found this helpful
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