Customer Reviews

West Nile Story

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent description of the search for the cause of the dead birds and sick people who appeared aropund New York in the summer of 1999. The author covers the disease biology, the impact of weather and human behaviour and the politics of public health in a witty and entertaining way. It is well worth being informed about this disease as it continues its spread across the USA. This book educates us in a way that is easily accessible to the non-expert. A most enjoyable read. Have fun with the chapter titles!

As the West Nile Virus continues to spread, this book is the best publication out there that describes the virus in layman's terms. For high school science teachers, this would be an excellent way to introduce the West Nile Virus topic to your students.

West Nile Story presents a wealth of information to both the non-scientist and scientist. Despommier has a fast-paced writing style that puts a very human face on the scientists involved. This avoids the typically dry, clinical and off-putting style of most science books. However, he doesn't 'dumb down' the information; it is accessible to both my high school students and myself, a Ph.D. in science. If your part of the country hasn't been hit by WNV, it probably soon will be - buy this book.

We purchased this book in Spring 2003, even though the book was published in 2001. West Nile Virus has spread across the United States and much has been learned since the book was published. The book is an interesting historical reference, but for more complete and up-to-date information look elsewhere. For example, the U.S. Center for Disease Control has a good website with current information.

The first accurate information i was able to get my hands on right after leaving the hospital with West Nile Virus Meningoencephalitis-poliomyelitis in 2002...

Dr. Despommier provides the best historical, scientific, cultural, social, biological and viral information to date (2005)on West Nile Virus. His explanation of vectors, including mosquito species identification and theories of transmission are easily understood and provide great information for all levels of readers-younger, older, unfamiliar, academic, scientific or professional.

This book was the first one (to my knowledge) to accurately connect the crow migration with the spread of the virus across the North American continent--i tell everyone to read this book whenever i discuss surviving west nile virus---it has taken me 4 years to write this review--it took 18-24 months before i could say i feel OK, shed the walking stick, or even begin to recover and the sequella lingers on--and i'm one of the healthiest survivors i know--

people better believe that this virus is devastating--the virus and mosquitoes can attack anyone--and each individual responds differently--despite prior health conditions, age, race, etc--even now we see doctors realizing that those individuals with the "fever" version of the virus (said to last 7-10 days)--really end up suffering for months and sometimes years with lingering ailments and unexplained progressive health decline...

Finally, other scientists are engaging in serious research and are discovering a multitude of inaccuracies in their rhetoric, treatment and understanding of the virus--

Dr. Despommier's West Nile Story should be required reading for every medical school student and included in much needed continuing education for existing medical professionals who continue to misdiagnosis and misinterpret symptoms, origins, conditions, treatment and rehabilitation of west nile virus patients (and animals).

Dozens of physicians continually told me..."the science is unclear" and I continually told them--That is untrue and to this day, i refer them to Dr. Depommier's West Nile Story--

in fact any physician, scientist, family, friend, survivor or interested person needs to read this book! I encourage Dr. Despommier to follow this ground breaking research documentation with an updated edition containing newer findings and including the survivors in the west nile virus formula---

prevention, education, protection, understanding and awareness is essential to combating this epidemic, while surviving and rehabbing from this virus is the ultimate battle---check out survivors' stories and memorials and buy Dr. Despommier's book at westnilesurvivor.com. thank you all.