The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic
by Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson explores the cholera epidemic in London of 1854. It tells the story of how John Snow, a doctor working in the Soho area and the Reverend Henry Whitehead, a local priest, put together, thanks to their local knowledge and Snows scientific interests, the real source of the epidemic and how it was transmitted—through drinking water—and overturning other widely held views that had as much to do with social prejudice (that the poor were dirty and unhygienic) as science.
Recommendations from our site
“The Ghost Map is a book that I oftentimes give to people to show them how cool and exciting and accessible and gripping stories about scientific discoveries can be.” Read more...
Seth Mnookin, Science Writer
“Johnson looks at London during a specific moment in time, August 1854, and focuses on a particular incident, an outbreak of cholera in Soho, in Central London.” Read more...
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Stephen Evans, Diplomats & Former Diplomat
