Review of Pandemic
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Review of Pandemic
[Following is a volunteer review of "Pandemic" by Dieter Gartelmann.]
Gartelmann's "Pandemic" was an amazing look at the unfolding crisis of COVID-19 in the United States, threaded through knotty political storylines with astute observations. An interesting read, to say the least, about the stormy relationships of Democrats and Republicans and the leadership style of former President Donald Trump during this global health emergency of such an unprecedented nature.
Dieter Gartelmann gives a very cutting-edge and detailed chronicle of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a key focus on how it is changing the political dynamics and public health policy in the U.S. The book starts with a synopsis of where the disease came from and how, in just a few years, it had increased from a distant few people's problem to something of a national crisis. Gartelmann precisely leads the narrative along, tracking from the initial underestimation of the virus's consequences to the later-overwhelmed hospital systems and associated economic upheavals that followed.
The story is wrapped around political drama. Gartelmann provides a balanced view and criticizes the Democratic and Republican responses to the crisis. He did a really great job of showing the polarization of American politics, which had been really showcased with so many governors having different approaches to lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine rollouts.
The author's portrayal is so measured about Trump and the kind of leadership he offered—sometimes scornful of counsel from scientists, at other times making bold steps that steered the course of federal responses. Where the book truly shines is by delving deep into the legislative battles raging in Congress and giving readers an insider's look at the negotiation tactics, partisan debates, and pure urgency in passing stimulus packages to stave off economic damage. Here, it is in the human cost that Gartelmann's writing really shines—he makes the high stakes and human costs of political maneuvering glaringly visible.
The author does not shy away from controversies, and a lot of misinformation characterizes much of the public discourse during the pandemic. He gets to the impact of social media and the struggle for voices like Dr. Anthony Fauci to break through among all the noise of fake news and conspiracy theories. The research undertaken by Gartelmann seems to be quite good and could be easily understood, describing how these stories had an impact on making public policy for people.
What sets "Pandemic" apart is the depth of journalistic coverage. The work retains a remnant of objectivity, essentially since "Pandemic" is not only objective, but Gartelmann applies criticism where criticism is due. His criticism extends from political figures to the media, public institutions, and at times even the public, reflecting on societal attitudes that led to the response to the country's pandemic.
The structure of the book is just perfect; the chapters flow into each other so delicately that the pace at which they unravel and continue to capture your interest is maintained. The editing was exceptional. Garth's style is accessible: complex policies, scientific concepts, and their interconnections are made understandable for a lay audience, which thereby gives the book a much wider human appeal. All in all, "Pandemic" by Dieter Gartelmann is a recommended read for those interested in gaining an understanding of the depth and scope of the coronavirus crisis and its reverberations through American politics and society. This book does a great job of bringing out a great historical moment in its full complexity. What a great piece of writing this is—noted for being very informative but also deeply reflexive, in the sense that it urges one to think about the lessons from the pandemic and the way forward. I rate this book five out of five stars, with nothing to dislike.
******
Pandemic
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Gartelmann's "Pandemic" was an amazing look at the unfolding crisis of COVID-19 in the United States, threaded through knotty political storylines with astute observations. An interesting read, to say the least, about the stormy relationships of Democrats and Republicans and the leadership style of former President Donald Trump during this global health emergency of such an unprecedented nature.
Dieter Gartelmann gives a very cutting-edge and detailed chronicle of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a key focus on how it is changing the political dynamics and public health policy in the U.S. The book starts with a synopsis of where the disease came from and how, in just a few years, it had increased from a distant few people's problem to something of a national crisis. Gartelmann precisely leads the narrative along, tracking from the initial underestimation of the virus's consequences to the later-overwhelmed hospital systems and associated economic upheavals that followed.
The story is wrapped around political drama. Gartelmann provides a balanced view and criticizes the Democratic and Republican responses to the crisis. He did a really great job of showing the polarization of American politics, which had been really showcased with so many governors having different approaches to lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine rollouts.
The author's portrayal is so measured about Trump and the kind of leadership he offered—sometimes scornful of counsel from scientists, at other times making bold steps that steered the course of federal responses. Where the book truly shines is by delving deep into the legislative battles raging in Congress and giving readers an insider's look at the negotiation tactics, partisan debates, and pure urgency in passing stimulus packages to stave off economic damage. Here, it is in the human cost that Gartelmann's writing really shines—he makes the high stakes and human costs of political maneuvering glaringly visible.
The author does not shy away from controversies, and a lot of misinformation characterizes much of the public discourse during the pandemic. He gets to the impact of social media and the struggle for voices like Dr. Anthony Fauci to break through among all the noise of fake news and conspiracy theories. The research undertaken by Gartelmann seems to be quite good and could be easily understood, describing how these stories had an impact on making public policy for people.
What sets "Pandemic" apart is the depth of journalistic coverage. The work retains a remnant of objectivity, essentially since "Pandemic" is not only objective, but Gartelmann applies criticism where criticism is due. His criticism extends from political figures to the media, public institutions, and at times even the public, reflecting on societal attitudes that led to the response to the country's pandemic.
The structure of the book is just perfect; the chapters flow into each other so delicately that the pace at which they unravel and continue to capture your interest is maintained. The editing was exceptional. Garth's style is accessible: complex policies, scientific concepts, and their interconnections are made understandable for a lay audience, which thereby gives the book a much wider human appeal. All in all, "Pandemic" by Dieter Gartelmann is a recommended read for those interested in gaining an understanding of the depth and scope of the coronavirus crisis and its reverberations through American politics and society. This book does a great job of bringing out a great historical moment in its full complexity. What a great piece of writing this is—noted for being very informative but also deeply reflexive, in the sense that it urges one to think about the lessons from the pandemic and the way forward. I rate this book five out of five stars, with nothing to dislike.
******
Pandemic
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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