aura1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Murphy, Jim. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, 2003. ISBN 0395776082.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
An American Plague is an account of a devastating killer known as yellow fever. This killer roamed the streets of Philadelphia in 1793 seeking whom it could devour without considering gender or age. It chronicles the medical beliefs and practices of that time. Jim Murphy illuminates the true story of a city under siege.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Rofina Morrow, Patrick Mullen, Ann Murphy, John Newling, a lad, Widow Morrifon's child, Robert Murray's wife and child are just a few names of those stricken with Philadelphia's roaming killer known as yellow fever. Jim Murphy masterfully and vividly chronicles the devastation course of the epidemic. Murphy has obviously consulted many books, newspapers, magazines, personal journals, and letters in order to create such a vivid account of the rapidly spreading disease of 1793. The text was full of details allowing readers to deeply understand the experiences of Philadelphians during that day and time. It also shed light on the compassion shared by those that were not stricken with the illness but moved to assist, those of which included free black Philadelphians, politicians and of course medical experts both official and unofficial (barbers). An American Plague included illustrations that helped readers imagine what the sickened city was like-narrow streets and the press of people. Murphy's passion for this riveting true story of a city under siege is phenomenal. This book is a must read for readers of all ages.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"Jim Murphy has once again created a masterful, impeccably researched book that both enthralls and horrifies the reader."
--Marya Jansen-Gruber, www.kidsread..com/reviews
5. CONNECTIONS
Other books by Jim Murphy:
The Great Fire
The Boys' War
Across America on an Emigrant Train
A Young Patriot
Pick & Shovel Poet
Fiction Book:
Fever 1793 by Laura Halse Anderson is great fiction book to go along with An American Plague.
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