Plagues in the Nation: How Epidemics Shaped America

An expert legal review of the US government’s response to epidemics through history--with larger conclusions about COVID-19, and reforms needed for the next plague

In this narrative history of the US through major outbreaks of contagious disease, from yellow fever to the Spanish flu, from HIV/AIDS to Ebola, Polly J. Price examines how law and government affected the outcome of epidemics--and how those outbreaks in turn shaped our government.

Price presents a fascinating history that has never been fully explored and draws larger conclusions about the gaps in our governmental and legal response. Plagues in the Nation examines how our country learned--and failed to learn--how to address the panic, conflict, and chaos that are the companions of contagion, what policies failed America again and again, and what we must do better next time.

Polly Price is an award-winning legal historian and Professor of Law and Global Health at Emory University. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Politico, TIME Magazine, and New York Magazine, among others. Connect with her online at plaguesinthenation.com and follow her on Twitter at @PollyJPrice.