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Price: $21.99 - $15.25
(as of Aug 12, 2024 01:00:52 UTC – Details)
By: Mary Beth Sartor Obermeyer (Author)
Maintain isolation – practice good hygiene –…
When Winter Came: A country doctor’s journey to fight the flu pandemic of 1918
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BobR –
Very Good in a surprising way
When Winter Came reads well. It’s full of interesting information and digs into Pierre’s life narrative starting from a child in Luxembourg through his marriage and the generations of his children. The center of the story is his struggle as a country doctor with the 1918 pandemic which is discussed in detail. Also discussed was how the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Brothers were essential resources for country doctors like Pierre practicing upper Iowa healthcare. This all makes for a good book.What surprised me was a common theme throughout which was how much these people cared for each other. It’s hard to convey caring feelings for family and community when telling a story. This book does it. That makes When Winter Came a very good book.
Paul Renfroe –
Wonderful Story On So Many Levels
I am very interested in the 1918 flu. When I first heard of it, I couldn’t figure out what made it so deadly. Why attack the most healthy? So I read and read until it became obvious that the blue flu had some kind of allergic attack on the lungs. –now called a cytokine storm. Makes sense now. Scientists have found parts of the virus from the long dead and frozen and now stored it as H1N1, a bird flu. I had a horrid case of Covid except for the lung attack so. . . Anyway This is not so much about the flu as about lives well lived. An example to us all. I loved it all. Esp the Iowa winter ambience. I recommend this to everyone. Not too long, not too short just right heartwarming
Catherine from Whidbey –
I would have liked to know him!
The author writes of her grandfather, an admirable medical doctor and good human being. But she does not idolize him; just tells his story. An interesting, easy read. I felt like I was there as his story unfolded.
Jean Evinger –
Engaging Account of Historic Event
This account of the 1918 flu epidemic was extremely well-written and researched. It not only gave a factual account of the pertinent conditions of the era, but also a personal piece of history of the families involved. The scope of the story spanned from a small Luxembourg community to U.S. big cities and small farm communities. Most impressive was the character development of the physician, Dr. Sartor, and also that of his family. I was most impressed by the emphasis placed on his dedication to his patients and not in his desire for personal wealth, which he never achieved. Having his memoirs to draw upon was the lynch pin that held the story together and gave it life. All in all, I learned much, both from an historical and moral perspective. As a bonus, it was a trip back in time for me, as I recognized many of the people and places from my own family history. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a truly factual account of the struggles experienced by our forefathers during this trying time.
ShirlP –
Great read!
I loved this book from the time I started reading it. The writer gives you a very clear and informative perspective of what really took place.
Wayne K –
a good history book
family history in the North Iowa area
KQ –
An amazing journey
I loved this book from beginning to end. My favorite storylines were about Pierre and Guido Sartor and their determination to graduate medical school and become doctors. Their dedication to the communities they served was astounding.I also enjoyed reading about Mayo and the clinical angle of life during a pandemic. The similarities between the 1918 pandemic and the Covid pandemic were amazing. Especially poignant after living through a pandemic of our own.What a gift to receive the medical journals of Pierre Sartor and to bring his story to life 100 years later. He would be proud.