'And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic' by Randy Shilts chronicles the HIV AIDS epidemic, highlighting the journey from a mysterious malady affecting urban gay males to a full-blown worldwide health crisis. The narrative delves into the role of economics and ego in shaping the reactions of institutions like blood banks and researchers, showcasing how the government, health authorities, and scientists prioritized budgetary concerns, political expediency, and national prestige over public health and saving lives. Through detailed and character-centered storytelling, the book portrays a devastating account of the early days of the AIDS epidemic, shedding light on the political, social, and medical challenges faced during that time.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is journalistic yet captivating, combining personal narratives with detailed accounts, creating a chilling atmosphere that elicits strong emotional responses.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a chronological, meticulous account of the AIDS epidemic's emergence, detailing its beginnings in various locations and weaving in personal narratives of victims and activists.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in 1980s San Francisco and New York, capturing the cultural and political dynamics that influenced the AIDS epidemic.

Pacing:

The pacing is relentless and chronological, maintaining tension throughout as it details the month-by-month progression of the epidemic.

Tall sails scraped the deep purple night as rockets burst, flared, and flourished red, white, and blue over the stoic Statue of Liberty. The whole world was watching, it seemed; the whole world was th...

Genres:

Topics:

stigma and discrimination

epidemiology

activism

Notes:

The book opens on July 4, 1976, during the U.S. Bicentennial celebration, where the first cases of AIDS began appearing.

The author, Randy Shilts, covered the AIDS epidemic as a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle starting in 1982.

The book is structured like a diary, detailing events related to AIDS from 1979 to 1985, with chapters organized by date.

By the end of 1980, 55 young men in the U.S. had been diagnosed with AIDS-related infections, the same number as the 55 Tall Ships in NYC's harbor in 1976.

Shilts compares the media response to the Tylenol crisis in 1982 with the response to AIDS, highlighting the disparity in coverage and urgency.

The book discusses the lack of government funding for AIDS research, with a stark criticism of the Reagan administration's inaction for years.

The title refers to the indifference and lack of action from the government and medical authorities in addressing the crisis.

Rock Hudson's diagnosis is cited as a turning point in public awareness of AIDS, occurring only after thousands had already died.

Shilts addresses the stigma against gay individuals, emphasizing how it contributed to the delayed response to the epidemic.

The author himself was diagnosed with AIDS in the 1990s and died from the disease at age 42, highlighting the personal tragedies of the epidemic.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic descriptions of disease progression, depictions of death, political apathy, discrimination, and contextual discussions around sexuality and drug use.

From The Publisher:

An examination of the AIDS crisis exposes the federal government for its inaction, health authorities for their greed, and scientists for their desire for prestige in the face of the AIDS pandemic.

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About the Author:

RANDY SHILTS was one of the first journalists to recognize AIDS as an important national issue and, in the early 1980s, he began to report on AIDS full time for the San Francisco Chronicle, making him the only journalist to do so. He was also the author of The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk and Conduct Unbecoming: Gay and Lesbians in the U.S. Military. Shilts died of AIDS-related complications in early 1994.

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And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic

Randy Shilts