Death in Hamburg: Society and Politics in the Cholera Years 1830-1910 - Softcover

Evans, Richard J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 014303636X ISBN 13: 9780143036364

Publisher: Penguin, 2006

Synopsis

The terrible cholera epidemic of 1892 offers a wealth of insights into the inner life of a great European city at the height of the industrial age. Why were nearly 10,000 people killed in six weeks in Hamburg, whilst most of Europe was left almost unscathed? As Richard J.Evans explains, it was largely because the town was a unique anomaly: a 'free city' within Germany governed by local notables who believed in the 'English' ideals of laissez-faire. Their failure to supply clean water, fresh air and pure food played a major role in the catastrophe. Their medical theories, influenced by political and economic interest, only made matters worse. The whole story of 'the cholera years' is tragically revealing of the age's social inequalities and administrative incompetence; it also offers some disquieting parallels with today's attitudes to AIDS.

About this title

Review:

"A brilliantly written work of great analytical penetration." --Gordon A. Craig, The New York Review of Books"A marvelous book, splendidly written, full of wit and anecdote, exuding scholarship and wisdom." --New Scientist

About the Author:

Richard J Evans is Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University. His previous books include In Defence of History, Telling Lies about Hitler, The Coming of the Third Reich and The Third Reich in Power. He lives outside Cambridge.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 014303636X
• ISBN 13: 9780143036364
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 678