How to Survive a Plague by David France

How to Survive a Plague

by David France

Winner of The Green Carnation Prize for LGBTQ literature

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT non-fiction

Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize 2017

'This superbly written chronicle will stand as a towering work in its field' Sunday Times

'Inspiring, uplifting and necessary reading' - Steve Silberman author of Neurotribes, Financial Times

How to Survive a Plague by David France is the riveting, powerful and profoundly moving story of the AIDS epidemic and the grass-roots movement of activists, many of them facing their own life-or-death struggles, who grabbed the reins of scientific research to help develop the drugs that turned HIV from a mostly fatal infection to a manageable disease. Around the globe, the 15.8 million people taking anti-AIDS drugs today are alive thanks to their efforts.

Not since the publication of Randy Shilts's now classic And the Band Played On in 1987 has a book sought to measure the AIDS plague in such brutally human, intimate, and soaring terms.

Weaving together the stories of dozens of individuals, this is an insider's account of a pivotal moment in our history and one that changed the way that medical science is practised worldwide.

Reviewed by clementine on

5 of 5 stars

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David France was the perfect person to write this monumentally important book. A trained journalist who was involved in AIDS activism from the early days, he presents a meticulously-researched history that retains so much humanity and compassion. Though this book is peppered with heartbreaking moments, it's ultimately hopeful, an illustration of how much grassroots activism can achieve, the power marginalized people have to take control of their own fates. Such an engaging, wonderful book. Everybody should know this history.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 July, 2018: Finished reading
  • 25 July, 2018: Reviewed