The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time
La moria grandissima began its terrible journey across the European and Asian continents in 1347, leaving unimaginable devastation in its wake. Five years later, twenty-five million people were dead, felled by the scourge that would come to be called the Black Death. The Great Mortality is the...
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La moria grandissima began its terrible journey across the European and Asian continents in 1347, leaving unimaginable devastation in its wake. Five years later, twenty-five million people were dead, felled by the scourge that would come to be called the Black Death. The Great Mortality is the extraordinary epic account of the worst natural disaster in European history -- a drama of courage, cowardice, misery, madness, and sacrifice that brilliantly illuminates humankind's darkest days when an old world ended and a new world was born.
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Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780060006938 (0060006935)
ASIN: 60006935
Publish date: January 31st 2006
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Pages no: 400
Edition language: English
Category:
Non Fiction,
History,
Science,
Historical Fiction,
Medieval,
Health,
Medical,
Medicine,
Death,
European History,
World History,
Illness,
Disease
Interesting. Nicely written.
Some interesting tidbits: - The term "Black Death" was not used until 1631. Fourteen century contemporaries called it the "Great Mortality." - Prior to the Great Mortality, Europe was on the verge of Malthusian deadlock. Without intending to sound heartless . . . the epidemic actually helped con...
If you LOVED Fifty Shades of Grey...this is not the book for you. I'm curious about the psychological, sociological, and economical impact the Black Death had on the affected countries. How did it invade their outlook on life, their culture, and how did it impact religion.
This may well be the funniest book I've ever read about the Black Death. Kelly's a good writer with a wry sense of humor. I also enjoyed the way he personified the plague- it's something I've always done in my head, too. I can just see Yersinia pestis striding through the countryside, scythe in han...
This is an excellent overview, written for the layperson. Extremely well-researched (once I figured out the endnote section!!) without being ponderous. Kelly's anecdotal, story-telling style--which does take his interpretation a little far beyond the facts (see comments)--is like a spoonful of sug...
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