While the work is well written and well organized, it offers instructions for a dangerous practice that should not be done in a self-help/DIY fashion. Giving readers such information (even though similar instructions can be found on the internet and through social media influencers) seems irresponsible.
Readers of Richard Selzer and Abraham Verghese will find this book interesting but lacking the consistent quality of writing that can be found in some of the best memoirs on the topics of death, dying, and medicine. Still recommended.
Densely detailed but rich in erudition and startling new insights, this fresh look at the impact of the Black Death upon world history is a must for history lovers and plague afficionados alike.
Overall, this is a good introduction to the subject and an enjoyable read. A good addition for those interested in the Civil War, biographies about women, and African American history.