We all read things and view them through a personal bias. Authors do the same. My bias was set in childhood when the polio vaccine became available. My father had contracted polio and I watched the ravages of that disease in him throughout his lifetime. If there is a vaccine to prevent or mitigate a horrible disease, I will sign up. Not every is the same as is evidenced by the book.

I commend the author for trying to maintain an objective stance. There were some egregious mistakes in the history of vaccines that would cause major problems. There is no attempt to downplay nor deny this. But the overwhelming benefit that we have experienced from having these wonders, regardless of the fact that no vaccine is 100% effective nor should it be given to everyone since some will have bad reactions to it, puts both of us on the side of vaccines.

It is fascinating to see through history similar arguments used to monger fear. Those identical arguments were trotted out during COVID. The difference today is the internet where misinformation and downright lies can be spread as gospel and sadly, there are many who believe. One only has to look at the influx of people from countries without widespread vaccinations for diseases we had under control that now threaten society once again. It will be a battle that will be fought until the end of time. But for those with an open mind, this is an interesting book in which we can see how history does repeat itself. We are doomed to continue to repeat it until someone learns the lessons. Four purrs and two paws up.

A History Of Vaccine And Anti-Vaxxers, myth versus legend by Anthony C Cartwright, this book is proof that people have been four and against vaccines since their invention from smallpox to Covid there’s always been those that go against the grain it is written by a man who knows all too well the dangers of not getting vaccinated and also someone who has every reason in the world not to vaccinate because after a childhood of no vaccines when he finally got vaccinated, he found out he was allergic, but when Covid came out he was there to get inoculated from the rampant disease. unfortunately, the people who really need to read this Orin to details and facts, but rather go on rumor and hyperbole, but for those who want to know the history of our vaccines and those who created it, this is a great book to read. I found Mr. Cartwright has an engaging riding style and this is definitely not a copy and paste book. #NetGalley, #PenAndSwordpress, #AnthonyCartwright, #AHistoryOfVaccinesAndAnti-Vaxxers,

Read over 3 days. Lessons can be learned from history to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and mistrust, and to ensure all ethnic groups and sections of society receive the healthcare they deserve.

I thought the book had several strong points. There was a lot of data and all the text was well-supported. The tables were clear and made the data easy to understand. And I loved the photos at the end of the book. But the book had some major weaknesses. It reads like a history textbook, loaded with names, dates, and places. Anthony Cartwright only rarely lets us see his personal insights but from what I’ve read, I would have liked to have seen more. I think he had a lot to say but held back. I didn’t find the writing smooth; it didn’t flow and felt disjointed. And there was too much on smallpox and too much minutiae. I almost stopped reading but I was very happy that I didn’t. The rest of the book is concise, and covers many important areas. I rated the book four stars because of its importance, the amount of research done, and the pacing of the book post-smallpox. Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword History for the advance reader copy.

Anthony C. Cartwright does a good job in balancing the history of vaccines and gives the research well.