Thomas F. (hardtack) -
A fascinating account of a disease which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and influenced history while doing so. For example, the author makes the point that if the 'cure' for scurvy had been discovered only 10 years earlier, we Americans might not have won our war for independence or, at least, might not have won it well enough to allow us to dictate terms ending the war and granting us independence.
While this does sound somewhat anti-American, the author provided enough evidence to convince me he had a valid point. Plus, his theory does answer some questions I've always had about how 'lucky' we were in our war for independence.
While this does sound somewhat anti-American, the author provided enough evidence to convince me he had a valid point. Plus, his theory does answer some questions I've always had about how 'lucky' we were in our war for independence.
Holly (holly-berry) reviewed Scurvy : How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail on
This book was one of the most memorable, enjoyable and fascinating books I have ever read. I described it in detail to everyone around me while I was reading it--they were probably bored to tears by my constant recitals but I couldn't help it! lol
