The Invisible People: How the U.S. Has Slept Through the Global AIDS Pandemic, the Greatest Humanitarian Catastrophe of Our Time

Behrman, Greg

ISBN 10: 0743257553 / ISBN 13: 9780743257558

Published by Free Press, New York

About this Item

Inscribed by author, Greg Behrman. Hardcover 1st edition/1st printing in VG+/Near Fine condition with a Very Good jacket. The covers are in great shape though the spine ends are lightly indented. The binding is square and tight. Small abrasion to the front flyleaf. The interior pages are clean and unmarked. The book will be carefully packaged for shipment for protection from the elements. USPS electronic tracking number issued free of charge. The inscription reads, "To Jim: Thanks so much for reading. Really great to meet you! Greg Behrman". Jacket shows light shelf wear.

Seller Inventory # 15516

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Invisible People: How the U.S. Has Slept Through the Global AIDS Pandemic, the Greatest Humanitarian Catastrophe of Our Time
• Publisher: Free Press, New York
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0743257553
• ISBN 13: 9780743257558
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Printing: First Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Dimensions: 9W x 6H x 1.25D inches 9 inches width by 6 inches height by 1.25 inches depth
• Signed: Inscribed by Author

About this title

Synopsis

Charging that the United States has taken an irresponsible stance toward the global AIDS epidemic, a critical account traces the political and racial factors that the author believes are behind America's failure to act in afflicted Third World nations. 35,000 first printing.

Review

Greg Behrman sets himself a demanding task in The Invisible People, his study of the AIDS pandemic. Now spanning decades and covering the globe, it has claimed a staggering number of lives (more than 40 million people are currently infected with HIV and 8,500 die of AIDS each day). That's more than most of us can grasp. The plague's heroes and villains aren't celebrated or demonised like those in a conventional war. For AIDS, there is no FDR or Hitler; there are just the victims of an inconceivable holocaust. Greg Behrman employs an almost cinematic perspective to address the catastrophe in his fast-moving history, cutting to new locations and characters to capture the epic nature of the global AIDS struggle.

A vivid cast of characters populates these pages, ranging from US presidents to activists, physicians, diplomats and rock stars (U2's Bono emerges as one of the most pragmatic and effective combatants). What's heartbreaking is that, despite the best work of many (and, to a degree, because of the tepid or obstructive efforts of others), the disease remains a mighty foe. Both moral and moderate in tone, Behrman focuses on American anti-AIDS efforts, believing the United States' mighty wealth at the end of the 20th century and its own experiences with the epidemic gave it a unique capability and responsibility to lead the fight in Africa and elswewhere. The American effort, he's forced to conclude, has been "inglorious". --Steven Stolder, Amazon.com