The Black Death Transformed
Disease and Culture in Early Renaissance Europe
Published on 30. January 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-340-70647-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Black Death in Europe, from its arrival in 1347-52 through successive waves into the early modern period, has been seriously misunderstood. It is clear from the compelling evidence presented in this revolutionary account that the Black Death was almost any disease other than the rat-based bubonic plague whose bacillus was discovered in 1894. Since the late nineteenth century, the rat and flea have stood wrongly accused as the agents of transmission and historians and scientists have uncritically imposed the epidemiology of modern plague on the past. Unshackled from this misconception, The Black Death Transformed turns to its subject afresh, using sources spread across a huge geographical tract, from Lisbon to Uzbekistan, Sicily to Scotland: more than 40,000 death documents (from last wills and testaments to the earliest surviving burial records), over 400 chronicles, 250 plague tracts, 50 saints' lives, merchant letters, and much more. These sources confirm the terror of the medieval plague, the rapidity of its spread (unlike modern plague), and the utter despondency left in the wake of its first strike.
But they also point to significant differences between medieval and modern plague, none more significant than the ability of humans to acquire natural immunity to the former but not the latter.
But they also point to significant differences between medieval and modern plague, none more significant than the ability of humans to acquire natural immunity to the former but not the latter.
Reviews / Votes
This is a book without comparison. Cohn has successfully undertaken the formidable task of dealing with a major and controversial topic over a vast period of time and within a geographical area that stretches from England to India. Well-conceived, imaginative, and strongly argued, The Black Death Transformed is a definitive work on an important and much studied subject and will remain so for a long time. William M. Bowsky, Professor Emeritus, University Finally, here is a book that examines original sources throughout Europe to challenge convincingly the age-old paradigm of the Black Death as bubonic plague. Dr John Henderson, Wolfson College, Cambridge ...delightfully readable. Conveys an ambitious and ultimately convincing argument in precise, often amusing prose. Cohn displays a combination of academic rigour and the ability to render the complex intriguing. The Independent ...a fascinating account. New Scientist The impressive level of primary and secondary research, will make this well written and readable work impossible for historians to ignore. Highly recommended. CHOICE Well-conceived and well-argued, The Black Death Transformed will remain an important work for many years to come. International Journal of Epidemiology A penetrating and exhuastive study... History of Medicine 'This book offers a wealth of information regarding various topics surrounding the Black Death.' Death StudiesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
506 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-340-70647-3 (9780340706473)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Samuel K. Cohn, Jr.
Content
Section 1 The Middle Ages confront the 20th century: scientists square the circle; the conquest of plague; historians square the circle. Section II The Black Death - signs and symptoms: signs, chronicles, plague tracts and saints' lives; symptoms. Section III The Black Death - epidemiology: chroniclers and doctors; climate; cycles and trends; conclusion; culture and psychology. Appendices: miraculous plague cures; list of chronicles, annales and calendars; plague tracts from Sudhoff.