Flu

The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It

By: Gina Kolata

Narrated by: Gina Kolata

Feeling feverish, tired, or achy? Listening to Gina Kolata's engrossing account of the 1918 Influenza epidemic is sure to give you the chills.

When we think of plagues, we think of AIDS, Ebola, anthrax spores, and, of course, the Black Death. Influenza never makes the list. But in 1918 the Great Flu Epidemic felled the young and healthy virtually overnight. An estimated forty million people died as the pandemic raged. More American soldiers were killed by the 1918 flu than were killed in battle during World War I. And no area of the globe was safe. Eskimos living in remote outposts in the frozen tundra succumbed to the flu in such numbers that entire villages were wiped out. If such a plague returned today, taking a comparable percentage of the U.S. population with it, 1.5 million Americans would die, which is more than the number killed in a single year by heart disease, cancers, strokes, chronic pulmonary disease, AIDS, and Alzheimer's combined.

Scientists have recently discovered shards of the flu virus in human remains frozen in the Arctic tundra and in scraps of tissue preserved in a government warehouse. In Flu, Gina Kolata, an acclaimed reporter for The New York Times, unravels the mystery of the lethal virus with the high drama of a great adventure story. From Alaska to Norway, from the streets of Hong Kong to the corridors of the White House, Kolata tracks the race to recover the live pathogen and probes the fear that has impelled government policy. A gripping work of science writing, Flu addresses the prospects for a great epidemic recurring, and considers what can be done to prevent it.

©1999 Gina Kolata

Fascinating science; disappointing narration.

I ordered this book in spite of other reviewers' warnings about the "mushy" reading by the author, determined to remain objective. The story of the 1918 flu and its relationship to modern flu viruses is fascinating and important, as is the drama of competing scientists' investigations. The mystery is particularly interesting in light of recent dna discoveries about bird flu, now extant and threatening. As others mentioned, I was disappointed in the narrator's apparent lisp and also her tendency to over-dramatize facts and circumstances which are rivoting on their own. Still, I am glad I stuck with the book to the end. Having worked years ago for a scientist in a competitive university department, I appreciate how individual personalities, passions, and foibles can drive scientific efforts. For someone sufficiently interested in the subject, the narration problems can be endured.

Flu

Great story! I read this long before the SARS or anthrax event. This story is even more compelling in light of those tragedies. Good choice!

A Scientific Journalist's Look at the 1918 Flu

Great look at the efforts by scientists throughout the 20th century to find the virus that caused the pandemic and is especially effective in exposing the problems scientists face from the media and the scientific establishment. This is not an audiobook that details how the disease affected the population, but more about ways to prevent it from recurring, and discovering its precedents.

My only critique is that no author should ever narrate his or her work. That is the job of a professional actor. The author, Gina Kolata, is no such actor. She narrates her own story with flat inflection and with a slight lisp. Nevertheless, the story is gripping for anyone interested in the science of the infection.

Fantastic account of History, Science and Humanity

I loved this book. Definitely worth every single minute of listening. Human history is full of tragedy, sometimes hidden by truly un-explained reasons. it is always passion that drives humans to excel, once passion is gone and a 5-9 mentality appears then we kill innovation and desires to explore every aspect of our history and universe.

Good Story - MISERABLE Narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The Narrator

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flu?

The Narrator

What didn’t you like about Gina Kolata’s performance?

Her Narration

Do you think Flu needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not read by this Narrator

Any additional comments?

Hire a professional to re-read this book and explain to the author that she should not seek a career in narration, that she should please stick to writing.

Excellent Review

This was an excellent review of the search for the 1918 influenza virus, read by the author. It includes understandable descriptions of how viruses work and details the discoveries and work of researchers who tracked down and sequenced the flu genes. I loved it.

High relevance for understanding current pandemic

Well performed. A history I was unfamiliar with but so relevant during today's COVID-19 pandemic.

Narration is awful

The narrator has a lisp. It was too distracting. I found myself listening to her pronunciation more than the story. This ones being returned

Great listen<br />

Very good documentary on the 1918 Flu Pandemic. Technical where it needs to be, detailed and very entertaining.

is it 1918 again

perfect read during corona epidemic.
gives lots of insights to today and the next pandemic.