The Pandemic Century

Listeners may find themselves checking for symptoms as they explore this well-researched volume detailing efforts to identify and eradicate better known and more obscure pandemics of the twentieth century, including Spanish influenza, parrot fever, AIDS and ebola. John Lee's narration appreciably enhances this illuminating audiobook. His steady voice, careful pacing, and authoritarian intonation help listeners consider the alarming statistics on worldwide deaths from pandemics and absorb the abundant medical and scientific data, although these findings occasionally become too technical for a general audience. Medical historian Honigsbaum intersperses factual information with multiple accounts of individuals struck by these illnesses and those who worked to save them. Lee's voice warms and softens to express small moments in these lost lives. M.J. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine