Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading
A Time To Dance A Time To Die by John WallerHardcover: 267 pages
Publisher: Icon Books (January 2008)
ISBN-10: 1848310218
ISBN-13: 978-1848310216
Product description
"In July 1518 a terrifying and mysterious plague struck the medieval city of Strasbourg. Hundreds of men and women danced wildly, day after day, in the punishing summer heat. Their feet blistered and bled, and their limbs ached with fatigue, but they simply could not stop. By the time the epidemic subsided, heat and exhaustion had claimed an untold number of lives, leaving thousands bewildered and bereaved, and an enduring enigma for future generations. This book explains why Strasbourg's dancing plague took place. In doing so it leads us into a largely vanished world, evoking the sights, sounds, aromas, diseases and hardships, the fervent super naturalism and the desperate hedonism of the late medieval world. Not only a fascinating historical detective story, "A Time to Dance, A Time to Die" is also an exploration into the strangest capabilities of the human mind and the extremes to which fear and irrationality can lead us."
About the Author
John Waller is an historian of medicine at Michigan State University. Educated at the universities of Oxford and London, he is the author of several other books, including The Real Oliver Twist (Icon, 2005), The Discovery of the Germ (Icon, 2002) and Fabulous Science (OUP, 2002). He lives with his wife and daughter in Michigan.
____________________________
I just know I'll be in the mood one day to read something other than my usual literary fiction and this should be fascinating.Is this something you'd read? If you have please let us now what you think. What did you find in the way of interesting books this week?
Today's other Post: Haiku
Actually that book sounds like something I would avoid. But I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really interesting - the fact that it takes place in Strasbourg is an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteinteresting! the power of the mind. I admit the mind is the most powerful tool man has but which he constantly refuses to acknowledge. thanks for giving us your thoughts on this book.
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty intense!!! But also like one that you will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI would read it when I get in my dystopia mood. However, knowing that it really happened makes it interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about this one. But I will look fwd to your review!
ReplyDelete