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How to Survive a Plague
How to Survive a Plague: The Inside Story of How Citizens and Science Tamed AIDS | David France
From the creator of and inspired by the seminal documentary of the same name--an Oscar nominee--the definitive history of the successful battle to halt the AIDS epidemic, and the powerful, heroic stories of the gay activists who refused to die without a fight. Intimately reported, this is the story of the men and women who, watching their friends and lovers fall, ignored by public officials, religious leaders, and the nation at large, and confronted with shame and hatred, chose to fight for their right to live. We witness the founding of ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group), the rise of an underground drug market in opposition to the prohibitively expensive (and sometimes toxic) AZT, and the gradual movement toward a lifesaving medical breakthrough. With his unparalleled access to this community David France illuminates the lives of extraordinary characters, including the closeted Wall Street trader-turned-activist; the high school dropout who found purpose battling pharmaceutical giants in New York; the South African physician who helped establish the first officially recognized buyers' club at the height of the epidemic; and the public relations executive fighting to save his own life for the sake of his young daughter. Expansive yet richly detailed, this is an insider's account of a pivotal moment in the history of American civil rights.
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I skipped this one when it came out, figuring since I‘d read And The Band Played On that I had the story. But that book is an epidemiologic/public health story of how HIV established in the US and this is the activist/patient side. These men were treated absolutely abominably (even Fauci doesn‘t look so good here) and really fought for treatments and basic care. The book is superb.

TheBookHippie One of my all time favorite recommending to folks books. Although I read it the day it came out. Have you read tagged book it‘s excellent 4w
kspenmoll My husband covered the AIDs epidemic(early 1980s+)for the Hartford Courant & traveled to Sweden as well as cities in US. He introduced me to authors, books etc later in the 80s when we met. 4w
Hooked_on_books @TheBookHippie I haven‘t read nor heard of that one. I‘ll definitely do so now. Thanks for the rec! 3w
Hooked_on_books @kspenmoll He must have seen a lot of angles to what was happening. It was a scary time for a lot of people. I bet it was intellectually interesting for him. 3w
41 likes4 comments
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Oryx
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Spring! Lovely audiowalk with Miss Daisy. Listening to the tagged book, which is proving to be an interesting read. Glad I got it on audio - I started it on print, but finding it much easier to process over audio.

CaffeineAndCandy Awwww so cute 4y
Caroline2 Spring is in the air! 🐣 🌸 🌳 😀 4y
Cathythoughts ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
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TrishB Aww 🐶❤️ 4y
squirrelbrain It‘s been a lovely day today hasn‘t it?! 4y
Megabooks So cute! 4y
63 likes1 stack add6 comments
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thebeercolonel
Pickpick

Goodness me, what a book, inspiring, heartbreaking, infuriating and amazing in turns makes you really appreciate how amazing the AIDS activists were having to fight for their lives and those of their community.

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Lylah
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Larry Kramer is really ripped a new one in this massive AIDS book - not well-loved by much of the gay community. It‘s a bit hard to read in light of his recent passing. RIP Larry Kramer; abrasive as you were to many, you made an impact.

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Lylah
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Reading up on how activism forced people to care about AIDS and thinking about the US government fumbling with COVID. There‘s a lot to think about.

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Lylah
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This seemed like a relevant thing to read and I‘ve been itching for some non-fiction.

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Lylah
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Unabridged Book Store in Chicago, IL.

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Oryx
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Loving this sun! Actually reading in the garden in Feb! That blonde blob is Daisy.

julesG 😍 6y
MelissaSue81 How is this book? It sounds fascinating 6y
Oryx @MelissaSue81 I'm only 40 pages in, but really interesting and really well written. 6y
TrishB Weathers a bit bonkers today! 6y
Oryx @TrishB It's crazy. 6y
80 likes5 comments
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greeniezona
Pickpick

About five hours in to #24in48, and I‘ve finished How to Survive a Plague. I loved it so much. Full of rage, sadness, relief, and even joy, I was moved to tears more than once. A moving account of tragic period in history that has so much to teach us for today.

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greeniezona
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I love this opening quote from How to Survive a Plague. Paul Monette‘s Becoming a Man made a huge impact on me as a young woman, and I have loved him ever since.

For the #24in48 Hour 6 challenge.

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greeniezona
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My #24in48 Readathon TBR. Absurd, I know, and not how I would normally rock a Readathon TBR, but I kind of decided to try this Readathon our last second when I found out I‘d have unexpected childfree time this weekend. I also have a lot of plans this weekend, so I don‘t expect to make 24 hours, but I‘m looking forward to concentrated reading time. Two of these books are monsters I‘ve been reading awhile and need to finish, the other is due soon!

greeniezona Wish me luck! 6y
7 likes1 comment
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charl08
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Review in the LRB. Good book, but this is an important caveat.

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shanaqui

I love epidemiology. Diseases are fascinating. This book, though, is so far very much about the people who were affected, so it's slow going because it's heart wrenching. Every time the science comes up -- wow! If I was designing a perfect virus, I'd probably take a lot from HIV (and my other fascination, influenza). But it's important to remember and honour the people affected too, and their suffering.

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rach_simone
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Pickpick

Tough, in depth and necessary read of the history of the start of the AIDS epidemic. David France deftly weaves personal and community history as well as scientific history and development. Very moving and I cried a lot.

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

What I liked about this book was how it seemed partly a work of journalism, full of information and detail, and part a personal story. The author was in the middle of the epidemic he was there for many of the events he writes about. But there is still somehow a distance kept, a level of professionalism, when talking about the people who fought.

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Hrhadrienne
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Reading this before bed causes bizarre dreams. Just saying.

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Abailliekaras
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The shortlist for this year's #GreenCarnationPrize celebrating #LGBTQ authors. More to add to my stack! 📚 #JuneBookBugs (photo: Green Carnation Prize)

25 likes2 stack adds
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Dvmheather
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Library pick ups today

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SteveWJones
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Surprised to see his name appear in this book. Yet there it is.
#trump #aids #lgbt

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Mcoun
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Pickpick

This book is touted by many activists as an example of a successful social movement. It's also a compelling human interest story - so amazing what this group of people was able to accomplish while many of them were dying. It is heartbreaking that they were ignored for so long. #dailyactionbookclub

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Vikz
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#amreading this brilliant book; Heart rending, and inspirational #reading, #DiverseAThon. What are you #reading today

BookishMarginalia I ordered this and am waiting for it! 8y
Vikz @BookishMarginalia it is a really engrossing read. Hope you love it as much as me, looking forward to hearing what you think 8y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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This just in. I wasn't going to read anything by white men this month, but now I'm reconsidering. I really want to participate in the #DailyActionBookClub, sponsored by LitHub and www.facebook.com/YourDailyAction. This is a story about how patients, citizens, scientists, and providers organized to tame and destigmatize AIDS. Love the epigraph and the bookmark I found recently (made by one of my granddaughters). #readersresist

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BookishFeminist
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Last #BookMail for today! 📬🎉

This has been on my radar since it came out last year but I decided to splurge this week since I don't know nearly enough about AIDS. It's the book club selection for the Daily Action page on Facebook. It's also huge. 😱 there's no way I would be able to finish it in time if I checked it out from the library. I've heard nothing but great things & I'm excited to dig in. #OverThis #ReadRiseResist

LizzyM Loved this book so hard. It is long but also riveting. It read so quickly for me - I TORE through it. 8y
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Bookboss
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Picked this one up tonight. It's going to be a tough but essential read.

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BookishMarginalia
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Just ordered the first selection of the #DailyActionBookClub -- thanks to @BarbaraTheBibliophage for calling my attention to it! #ReadOutsideTheLines #ReadersResist #Knopf

BarbaraTheBibliophage 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
bio_chem06 @BookishMarginalia Are you adding the documentary of the same name? Super good follow up to the read. 8y
BookishMarginalia @bio_chem06 I'm planning to watch it too!👍🏼 8y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @bio_chem06 @BookishMarginalia Thanks for the heads up. Where is the documentary running? 8y
bio_chem06 @BarbaraTheBibliophage I found it on Amazon, but I don't know if it is on Prime anymore, but you can rent it. But you could check Netflix too. Might be there now. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Cool - either of those would work. Thanks! 8y
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Julsmarshall
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Took a little time away from reading tonight to write my state and federal representatives. I hope you are taking time to stand up and be counted! #postcardresistance #resist

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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If you follow Your Daily Action on FB (www.facebook.com/YourDailyAction), you may have seen this. They started a book club! Resisting extremism, one book at a time.

#resist #readersresist

CocoReads I didn't but I will now! 8y
Julsmarshall Thanks for the info! Following now 😄 #resist 8y
LitLogophile Thanks! 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you! I'll check them out! 8y
BookishMarginalia Ordered! 8y
melbeautyandbooks Thank you for sharing! #resist 8y
ApoptyGina69 This is very cool. I am not on FB, but I will like to keep track of the books if you and Gloria will be posting about them. Thanks for the link! 8y
abbadean8 @kateypeck This woman has some great books as part of the #readersresist movement! 8y
Bookchipmunk I couldn't resist and put a hold request in at my library 🤓 (edited) 8y
Mcoun I'm really excited about this! 8y
104 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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SteveWJones
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This book is going to be a tough read. I hope men like Spencer Cox aren't completely forgotten.

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ElphaReads
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Tissues needed. This book is hard and sad and maddening and important.

charl08 I agree. Powerful reading. 8y
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ElphaReads
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This one is going to be a painful read but it's so important. I am keeping tissues handy.

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Lauren.Archer
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Pickpick

What a great book. Although I knew a lot of the history of the AIDS epidemic, it gave light to many people fighting this war from the beginning, that I had never heard of. I also decided to watch The Band Played On and A Normal Heart which were both mentioned in the book.

bookishkai The movie of And the Band Played On is good, but you really should read the book, too. And also Cleve Jones' 8y
LizzyM I loved this book so much. I found it so powerful and compelling! And heartbreaking 😢 8y
a.shelf.life What app is this?!? 8y
Lauren.Archer @a.shelf.life it's called bookout. Great for stats 8y
auntie_jenn @bookishkris @Lauren.Archer also Christodora by Tim Murphy ❤ 8y
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charl08

Powerful reading about the AIDS crisis. Worth your time.

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Lauren.Archer
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My book haul from today. I purchased Pachinko and the others are from the library. Gonna start How to Survive a Plague first.

Weave Nice book haul ~ happy reading📚 8y
ApoptyGina69 Just purchased Pachinko today! 👍📚 8y
Kitta Ooo I really want to read Pachinko, can't wait to hear what you think 8y
Litlady Oh .. Pachinko! I should just go ahead and take the BOTM plunge! Nice haul and beautiful kitchen! 😍👍📚 8y
bedandabook Love the cover of Pachinko. Beautiful. 8y
126 likes5 comments
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Anjuk
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The longlist for the 2017 wellcome book prize has been revealed. https://wellcomebookprize.org #WBP2017

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LizzyM
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Pickpick

I think I have already read one of my best books of the year. This story is incredible. As someone who has little personal memory of the early AIDS epidemic, this book was an eye opener. I had no idea. For those of you like me in that regard, this book will rock your world.

Notafraidofwords I have it on hold at the library. My uncle died early in the epidemic so I'm always interested in learning more. 8y
LizzyM @Notafraidofwords This book moved me so much. I feel ashamed that I was essentially ignorant of so much suffering! I am so so so glad I read it. And talk about lessons on activism! I am in complete awe! 8y
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LizzyM
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This book is riveting!!! And I think everyone should read it! Please! (Is that enough exclamation points for you?) Seriously, it is so good. I am ashamed I didn't know all of this content already. And the wine is so delish, which is always a nice augment to my reading.😜🍷

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RanaElizabeth
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Pickpick

I cannot praise this book enough. The science is accessible, the history is enthralling, the story is emotional. Really, this is a story about people, love, and the will to fight.
Full review over on Goodreads.

haileybean @AprilMaesBookHabit, read this one after your book on smallpox? 8y
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LizzyM
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Wow. Picked this book up last night to page through it a bit and I can't put it down. Utterly compelling and also tragic, hopeful, and inspirational. I think this is going to be a book I tell everyone they need to read!!!

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RanaElizabeth
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Diving into 2017, headfirst with a chunky non-fiction pretty much guaranteed to leave me gutted, sobbing, and inspired.

64 likes3 stack adds
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Bookreasons.com
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Get fired up. Change the world. #howtosurviveaplague #DavidFrance #getindie Sundog Books

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Sararl77
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Pickpick

Excellent history and memoir of activism to fights AIDS, homophobia and indifference. I watched the documentary after finishing the book--powerful and moving!!!

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bookishkai
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Home alone on a Monday night, knitting like the wind on a Christmas gift and listening to a new book.

BeckaroniAndCheese Sounds wonderful! 8y
Dolly 💚 8y
rachel_mbc I read the review of this in the Times. Sounds really interesting! 8y
LeahBergen That looks great! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Love the color!! Cool knit! 8y
104 likes1 stack add5 comments
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LonesomeReader
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This inside history of the AIDS crisis is really extraordinary. Shocking & emotional to read of the heroes who fought for their lives amidst overwhelming prejudice. It's also a vital guide for how we should all be active & engaged citizens.

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Genrebending
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This is out today and everyone should get it.

CherylDeFranceschi This is way high up on my TBR. LOOKING FIREARD TO READING THIS BOOK. 8y
librarypoweruser Really cannot wait to read this one 8y
EKonrad Have you seen the documentary with the same title? So heartbreaking and well-done. 8y
Genrebending @Ekonrad yes, this is actually written by the same person who directed the documentary 8y
57 likes16 stack adds4 comments
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brendanmleonard
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Doing some small business holiday shopping for myself! How to Survive A Plague comes out Tuesday, but I found an early copy. The LA Con is a 1st ed., 1st printing, and the Lehane books are to prep for the movie version of Live By Night! #shopsmall

NCNY Ooh. Just read a review of How to Survive a Plague in the NYT book review. Need to pick up a copy. 8y
71 likes2 stack adds1 comment