The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time

By John Kelly

Categories: History

The Great Mortality is John Kelly's narrative history of the Black Death, the plague that killed a large share of Europe's population in the mid-fourteenth century. Kelly follows the plague from the steppes of Central Asia through Italy, France and England, drawing on chronicles and letters from survivors. He describes its medical and social effects, from collapsing towns and economies to persecution of Jews and flagellant movements, and how it changed medieval society.

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• David Heinemeier Hansson: “It's really well-told too... Really enjoyed this one.”