Overview

This is an accessible book on the most terrible catastrophe of modern times. This book is aimed initially at students who want to study the history of the Aids epidemic but who currently have no starting point from which to enter the vast and often technical literature. Other readers will also find it a helpful introduction to a subject of immense contemporary importance. This book explains the origins and nature of the virus and the unique epidemic it has caused: the progress of the epidemic across the African continent; thecircumstances that have made its impact so severe; the responses of governments, international bodies and NGOs; the moral and political controversies; the effect on households, social systems and economics; the care of the sick and the search for remedies and vaccines; and the impact of antiretroviral treatments. This book uses medical, anthropological and eye-witness sources but assumes no prior knowledge. Professor Iliffe has forty years experience of teaching in Africa and Britain. His books on modern African history are renowned. North America: Ohio U Press; South Africa: Double Storey/Juta

Full Product Details

Author:   John Iliffe
Publisher:   James Currey
Imprint:   James Currey
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.384kg
ISBN:  

9780852558904

ISBN 10:   0852558902
Pages:   224
Publication Date:   24 January 2006
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Intentions - Origins - Epidemic in western equatorial Africa - The drive to the east - The conquest of the south - The penetration of the west - Causation: a synthesis - Responses from above - Views from below - NGOs & the evolution of care - Death & the household - The epidemic matures - Containment - Conclusion - Index.

Reviews

Historians and interdisciplinary social scientists faced with the task of explaining the HIV/AIDS epidemic to their students can only be grateful to one of the most distinguished Africanist historians, John Iliffe, for his 'introduction' to the history of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Should be on the reading list of every university course that explores the complexity of health crises. For the greater readership, the book is a careful, thoughtful and respectful introduction to this complex epidemic. MEDICAL HISTORY An appropriate resource for patrons interested in researching the evolution of AIDS in Africa, this scholarly book is recommended for academic libraries. - Rebecca Raszewski in LIBRARY JOURNAL Offers an accessible account of a vastly complicated and emotional issue, filling a gap in the literature by providing historical context to the emergence of and response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. - Alison Jenkins in AFRICAN AFFAIRS A valuable contribution that reminds us how much we have learned about HIV and AIDS from this uniquely captivating troubled continent. - Kevin M. De Cock in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE An excellent, well-informed and readable - Kevin M. De Cock in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE An excellent, well-informed and readable book. I

'An appropriate resource for patrons interested in researching the evolution of AIDS in Africa, this scholarly book is recommended for academic libraries.' Rebecca Raszewski in 'Library Journal'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------'As it assumes no prior knowledge of the issues, the book is well suited to students and other interested readers. Yet, the analysis is of sufficient depth and detail for it to be of use to a more specialised audience. Extensive references and a reading list are provided for each chapter, equipping the reader with resources to pursue areas of interest.'Africa has the worst epidemic because it has the first epidemic established in the general population' (p.1)'Ultimately, Iliffe offers an accessible account of a vastly complicated and emotional issue, filling a gap in the literature by providing historical context to the emergence of and response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.' Alison Jenkins in 'African Affairs'-------------------------------------------------------------------------'Iliffe's analysis of the sociopolitical aspects of HIV and AIDS in the context of African history reminds us that disciplines other than the biomedical sciences can provide us with insights that are equally pertinent, though different.'Iliffe's review is scholarly, combines biomedical as well as societal perspectives and is sympathetic to and insightful about Africa and its peoples. It is a valuable contribution that reminds us how much we have learned about HIV and AIDS from this uniquely captivating troubled continent.'Kevin M De Cock in 'New England Journal of Medicine'---------------------------------------------------------------------------'Iliffe is correct at the end of the book that the long incubation period of the epidemic has provided grounds for a new form of organising: that of patients for their own treatment. The actions of social movements and some states have brought back onto the agenda issues of solidarity and universal access to health care and access to treatment at a global level. Pointing to the maturing of the epidemic, Iliffe ends on a note of optimism that 'the virus no longer holds the initiative that explained its success'. If however it is indeed our own political, economic and social institutions and policies that we must confront to take control over HIV and AIDS, then a more pertinent lesson from history may be the one captured on the front cover of the book, in the hands of a person holding a poster saying 'Stand up for your rights'. ' - Rene Loewenson in 'Pambazuka News'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'...A splendid social history that is both comprehensive and authoritative; it should be widely read.' - Nicolas van de Walle, 'Foreign Affairs'.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Historians and interdisciplinary social scientists faced with the task of explaining the HIV/AIDS epidemic to their students can only be grateful to one of the most distinguished Africanist historians, John Iliffe, for his 'introduction' to the history of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Should be on the reading list of every university course that explores the complexity of health crises. For the greater readership, the book is a careful, thoughtful and respectful introduction to this complex epidemic. MEDICAL HISTORY An appropriate resource for patrons interested in researching the evolution of AIDS in Africa, this scholarly book is recommended for academic libraries. - Rebecca Raszewski in LIBRARY JOURNAL Offers an accessible account of a vastly complicated and emotional issue, filling a gap in the literature by providing historical context to the emergence of and response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. - Alison Jenkins in AFRICAN AFFAIRS A valuable contribution that reminds us how much we have learned about HIV and AIDS from this uniquely captivating troubled continent. - Kevin M. De Cock in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE An excellent, well-informed and readable book. INTERNATIONAL HISTORY REVIEW An excellent synthesis of the history of this epidemic. IP-GLOBAL

Author Information

John Iliffe is Professor of Modern History in the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of St John's College

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