32 pages • 1 hour read
The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic—and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World
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Book Brief
299
Book • Nonfiction
London • 1850s
2006
Adult
15+ years
Super Short Summary
The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson details the 1854 cholera outbreak in London's Soho district, focusing on the investigative efforts of Dr. John Snow and Reverend Henry Whitehead who uncover that the epidemic's source is contaminated water from the Broad Street well, challenging the prevailing miasma theory of disease transmission. The narrative connects this historical event to broader themes of urban development, public health, and the evolution of modern cities. The book includes detailed descriptions of illness and death.
Informative
Mysterious
Challenging
Suspenseful
Dark
Reviews & Readership
56,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Steven Johnson's The Ghost Map is celebrated for its gripping account of the 1854 cholera outbreak in London, praised for blending science, history, and detective work. Critics commend its compelling narrative and insightful analysis, though some find its occasional digressions distracting. It's a thought-provoking read, merging storytelling with academic rigor.
Who Should Read The Ghost Map?
Readers who appreciate gripping narratives in nonfiction and the intersection of science, history, and public health will enjoy Steven Johnson's The Ghost Map. Fans of Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City or Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks will find it particularly engaging.
56,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Henry Whitehead
Henry Whitehead
A vicar and eventual collaborator with John Snow, who played a crucial role in investigating and validating the waterborne theory of cholera through community interviews.
Edwin Chadwick
Edwin Chadwick
An influential figure as the President of the Board of Health prior to the 1854 cholera epidemic, whose misdirected theories on disease transmission inadvertently contributed to public health issues in London.
Joseph Bazalgette
Joseph Bazalgette
An engineer responsible for designing the London sewage system that helped alleviate "the Great Stink," thereby addressing the city's sanitation issues in response to cholera outbreaks.
299
Book • Nonfiction
London • 1850s
2006
Adult
15+ years
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