The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson (4/5)

The Covid-19 epidemic has forced us into isolation to avoid death, but imagine what would happen if there was a deadlier disease going around in a time when medical techniques were mostly placebo. The Ghost Map is a historical non-fiction book about the Cholera outbreak in 1854 London. The Ghost Map follows English physician John Snow and Henry Whitehead on their investigation of the worst outbreak of cholera in Victorian-Era London. The discoveries were later used to improve the understanding of the connection between hygiene and health. The book is a riveting read, the only gripe I have with it is the slow beginning but besides that, it’s a vivid retelling of one of the worst epidemics. I highly recommend it to those who love history or have an interest in the medical field.