Rabid: A Cultural History Of The World's Most Diabolical Virus (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
As a biologist, I most enjoyed the last three chapters where there were updates/interviews/observations of recent findings surrounding rabies and the virus that causes it. The first two thirds of the book was too disjointed for me to enjoy it. Including things like voodoo, zombies, werewolves and vampires was perhaps a way to support the "cultural" part of the book's title but most of the time the connection to rabies was at best tenuous. Also the early history section of the book, while occasionally reporting interesting facts, repeatedly spent an excess amount of time discussing lots of strange attempts to cure the disease or explain its origin. Those with a good science background who aren't as interested in rabies lore, but would like to learn something new or interesting about this age old disease would best be directed to the last third of the book. Growing up in the 50s, in a "little houses" development near some empty land that became prairie-like in the summer, one thing that could drive us kids to cowering in our houses was word that a rabid dog was roaming the neighborhood. Sometimes it was just a rumor; sometimes the police drove through the streets warning residents that there really was a sick dog around. And once, there was a kid who was bitten by a suspected rabid dog, and we agonized vicariously over the horrid series of shots (in his stomach!) he had to get. So, naturally this book caught my attention.Authors Wasik and Murphy have a lively writing style that doesn't get bogged down in the science. Their exploration of the historical and cultural connections down the ages of hydrophobia and werewolves and vampires is fascinating. When they tell the story of the brilliant (and very daring) Louis Pasteur and his research to find a cure, I held my breath till the results were reported even though I knew the outcome. If the gruesome ways in which the natural world is out to get us appeals to you as a reader, you might give this one a try.(Barbara L., Reader's Services)
What do You think about Rabid: A Cultural History Of The World's Most Diabolical Virus (2012)?
I was really hoping this would be fascinating. It really wasn't. Dull!
—misterbodacious
I was expecting a little more, it did have its moments
—aaronhero12
Interesting history. Good, fun way to review micro.
—stephenblowfield
