The great slaughter

An intimate history of the Black Death, the most devastating pandemic of all time.

The Black Death struck Europe in the 14th century, killing a third of the population. Based on his own research, John Kelly presents The Great Dying , a compelling account of the medieval plague, from its origins in the desolate, windswept steppes of Central Asia to its journey through the populous cities of Europe.

"Finally, a story about the Black Death that delivers: powerful, richly detailed, moving, human, and full of important lessons for a time when weapons of mass destruction are widespread among us." - Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize winner