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By the time Rock Hudson's death in 1985 alerted all America to the danger of the AIDS epidemic, the disease had spread across the nation, killing thousands of people and emerging as the greatest health crisis of the 20th century. America faced a troubling question: What happened? How was this epidemic allowed to spread so far before it was taken seriously? In answering these questions, Shilts weaves weaves the disparate threads into a coherent story, pinning down every evasion and contradiction at the highest levels of the medical, political, and media establishments.

Shilts shows that the epidemic spread wildly because the federal government put budget ahead of the nation's welfare; health authorities placed political expediency before the public health; and scientists were often more concerned with international prestige than saving lives. Against this backdrop, Shilts tells the heroic stories of individuals in science and politics, public health and the gay community, who struggled to alert the nation to the enormity of the danger it faced. And the Band Played On is both a tribute to these heroic people and a stinging indictment of the institutions that failed the nation so badly.

"Engaging, enlightening, sad, inspiring, and a history all should read."

Written By: E. Jankowski

I had to read this book in graduate school and begrudgingly started it only to be immediately drawn in, often staying up to 3am reading. Part was because it read like a fast paced, eventful fiction narrative however the sad part was that it documents the reality of the beginning of HIV in the United States. The books reads very quickly because of Shilts' editorial style, a concise narrative. It alternates between the happenings in specific people's lives as HIV manifests, the U.S. (Reagan) govt's response and the CDC/NIH. It places the level of infection in the U.S. solely on the lack of response. I highly recommend this book.

"Super Fast Delivery!"

Written By: Alison M. Quinn

Excellent merchant - book arrived super fast. Condition as described. Would not hesitate to shop with this seller again.

"And the Band Played On"

Written By: Desert Rat

I have watched this DVD more times than I can count. Now am reading the book, makes you really think about. What else have we been persuaded to look the other way about? There seems to be an awful lot of cover ups that go on in our government, CDC and the drug industry.

E Teal

"Amazing!"

Written By: J. Nagy

a must read. you will not be able to put it down. It is constantly unfolding before you. It will make you stop for moments of reflection while you ponder how we could have all been so stupid. PLEASE READ!

"A Classic"

Written By: B. Blanton

I have just gone back and re-read this book for the second time. I was very aware of the beginnings of the HIV/AIDS crisis around the time they began calling it the Gay disease when the first newspaper articles were written. I am a straight public health nurse beginning to work on teen suicide at that time but it was clear from the beginning that this disease was terrible and that politicians were cowardly in facing this crisis from the very beginning. I keep this book on my treasured book shelf so I will never forget how bad things can get in this country. Lately, though, you don't need a book to remind you!