This is brimming with information and details about cholera and I found most of it really interesting. It covers the epidemiology of cholera as well as the various social and geographical reasons behind its spread through history. We delve into subjects including social crowding, sanitation and the migration of workers during the industrial revolution - all contributing factors to the growing prevalence of the disease, as well as looking into the possible solutions.

At times I did find the writing a little on the dry side, with a lot of research and figures that sometimes bogged down the flow of the text. However overall I found this well researched and presented in an accessible way for any layman into the subject. It's told with an obvious passion that provokes some thought provoking opinions.

A very solid text about cholera during the Victorian era. The book follows the origin and spread of the epidemic, looking very thoroughly at the work of scientists at that time who tried so hard to find out why these epidemics rose and fell. It was interesting to see the work they did to explore how the disease was spread, the insistence of the 'miasma' theories rather than understanding how it was waterborne, and the poor sanitation and housing conditions that exacerbated the spread of the disease.

The author has researched the contemporary scientists and their theories in detail, and gives detailed accounts of issues such as the Tooting workhouse scandal and the eventual improvement of sanitation in London and beyond. Some accounts are shocking and harrowing.

A thoroughly readable and academic book, taking the story right to the present day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another shocking revelation and slap in the face: human beings are the worst, most vulnerable, weakest creatures that inhabited earth; it is hard to believe with such an enhanced brain and amazing mind, we can die of a single bite of a mosquito or drinking a glass of water contaminated by microscopic bacteria. Well this sucks. I guess I will traumatize myself to death under quarantine by exposing myself to never-ending outbreaks.
Cholera is one of the most intriguing infectious diseases in the history of humankind. I have found myself reading about outbreaks, the black death and similar pandemics and epidemics recently and I am still not sure if it’s such a good idea considering the current situation. Nevertheless I am really curious about these diseases and wanted to learn more so here I ended up with more knowledge than I need without any regrets whatsoever.
As the great plague outbreak, cholera hit London in 1849, nearly two centuries after the former. It is quite intriguing that poor Britain suffered from nearly everything from rats (and thanks to them, the plague), then a fire, which nearly swallowed up a whole city and then another outbreak of cholera, which results from lack of sanitation and access to clean water (and much before that the famine in 14th century, phew…)
This well-researched book on cholera is too detailed for only an enthusiast such as myself and has an academic quality with notes and references that can put a top researcher to shame. It starts with the history and spread of the disease, the experimental treatment tried (Debauchery prevailed thanks to the belief that brandy cured the disease), the social/political/economic impacts of the outbreak and several other events and incidents connected to cholera including the sinking of the Princess Alice. Overall, too much for a person reading out of curiosity but a great resource for the real enthusiast.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. A fascinating book about topic many are aware of but know little about. Would make a useful historical research tool for History students and writers.

*Many thanks to Amanda J Thomas,Pen & Sword and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
A comprehensive and insightful non-fiction on the topic on cholera that struck English three time in the 19th century but not only. Ms Thomas provides a most detailed panorama of social problems that affected the Victorians and what positive outcomes resulted from the cholera, for example, the improvement of the sanitary conditions among the poor, and the awareness regarding the causes of this terrible epidemic.

Searing, emotional, and informative, Cholera focuses on one of the truly most dangerous plagues from Victorian times to the modern age. Confronting such topics as the the need for sanitary water, racism, and how this disease still affects the third world countries today, this novel is a must read for an understanding of how one of the most dangerous diseases evolved and what the costs were throughout history,

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.