Plagues in the Nation: How Epidemics Shaped America

Sheds light on the US government’s response to epidemics through history-with larger conclusions about COVID-19 and reforms needed before the next plague.

In this narrative history of the US through major outbreaks of contagious disease, from yellow fever to the Spanish flu, from HIV/AIDS to Ebola, Polly J. Price examines how law and government affected the outcome of epidemics-and how those outbreaks in turn shaped our government.

Price presents a fascinating history that has never been fully explored and draws larger conclusions about the gaps in our governmental and legal response. Plagues in the Nation examines how our country learned-and failed to learn-how to address the panic, conflict, and chaos that are the companions of contagion, what policies failed America again and again, and what we must do better next time.