Waller, John

The Dancing Plague: The Strange, True Story of an Extraordinary Illness

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ISBN 13:
9781402219436
author:
Waller, John
format:
Paperback
publisher:
Sourcebooks
language:
English
Publication Year:
2009
Pages:
288
Dimensions:
19.8 x 13.2 x 2.3 cm
Genre:
Cultural Heritage Social Science
Condition:
New
Availability:
Item usually sent within 10 working days
£16.12

Description

The Dancing Plague: The Strange, True Story of an Extraordinary Illness In the sweltering summer of 1518, a mysterious phenomenon swept through the streets of Strasbourg, leaving a trail of death and confusion in its wake. Frau Troffea, a woman consumed by an inexplicable compulsion, began to dance, and soon hundreds of others followed suit. Over the next two months, the epidemic raged on, claiming the lives of 15 people a day, and possibly 100 more in a tragic and terrifying climax. John Waller sheds light on the events that led to this bizarre outbreak, and how it came to an end. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, he reveals the sights, sounds, and aromas of the late medieval world, and the desperate measures taken by those affected. This is a story of the human mind's darkest capabilities, and our own susceptibility to mass hysteria. By examining the Dancing Plague, Waller offers a unique insight into the complexities of human nature, and the power of superstition and fear to shape our lives.

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