Embedded Files
An American Plague
An American Plague
The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.
Fall Book Study
Fall Book Study
Join us for a powerful book club discussion centered on Jim Murphy's An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. This riveting narrative uses firsthand accounts, newspaper clippings, and historical documents to transport us to a moment when the new American capital was brought to its knees by an invisible killer. By delving into this historical event, we will explore timeless themes of crisis management, community resilience, and social inequality. Our discussions will provide fresh insights for the classroom and spark meaningful conversations about public health and political leadership, both then and now. Murphy's meticulous research highlights the heroism of the Free African Society, who selflessly nursed the sick. We will also examine the medical ignorance of the era and the constitutional crisis that unfolded as President Washington fled the city. This book is not just history; it's a dramatic exploration of what happens when a society is tested to its limits. Come connect with colleagues in a low-pressure environment and deepen your passion for both history and teaching.
Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy (1947–2022) was an award-winning American author of more than 35 books, celebrated for revolutionizing historical nonfiction for young adults by weaving meticulous primary-source research into gripping, immediate narratives. His most acclaimed work, An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, vividly chronicles the devastating outbreak that paralyzed the nation's early capital, earning a Newbery Honor, a National Book Award nomination, and the prestigious Robert F. Sibert Medal. Over a multi-decade career that included landmark titles like The Great Fire, Murphy’s profound contributions to children’s literature were honored with the American Library Association's lifetime Margaret A. Edwards Award.
Spring, 2027: Join Our Book Club and Discover a Chapter of American History!
Ever wondered how the myths of the American West stack up against the gritty, complex reality? We are diving into The Essential West: Collected Essays by award-winning historian Elliott West. Far from your standard, dry history textbook, this collection is a vivid, witty, and deeply insightful journey through the stories, peoples, and landscapes that shaped the American frontier. From the reimagined histories of Jesse James and Buffalo Bill to profound explorations of Native American endurance and the environmental shifts that redefined the continent, West challenges everything we thought we knew about the American West.
This selection is perfect for our group because the essay format makes it incredibly easy to read at your own pace. Each chapter offers a fresh perspective on how the "Wild West" was won, lost, and romanticized, giving us plenty of fascinating material for a killer discussion on myth versus reality. Whether you are a die-hard history buff or just love a well-told story filled with complex characters, there is a seat at the table for you.
"The West is not a place where history ended; it’s where America’s most complicated stories began."
Dr. Elliott West
Dr. Elliott West
Dr. Elliott West (born 1945) is a renowned historian of the American West and the Alumni Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Arkansas, where he taught for 43 years. A past president of the Western History Association and a former Harmsworth Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford, West is celebrated for his engaging, narrative style that seamlessly blends environmental, social, and Native American histories. Over his illustrious five-decade career, he has authored numerous seminal works, including The Contested Plains, which won the Francis Parkman Prize, and Continental Reckoning: The American West in the Age of Expansion, which was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist and won the prestigious 2024 Bancroft Prize. His expertise has also reached wider audiences through public education advocacy and appearances as an expert commentator in Ken Burns’s PBS documentary The American Buffalo.
Page updated
Report abuse