Wrong Side of History

Wrong Side of History

Share this post

Wrong Side of History
Wrong Side of History
The Worst Year Ever
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

The Worst Year Ever

The Year of the Plague #1

Ed West's avatar
Ed West
Jan 20, 2025
∙ Paid
61

Share this post

Wrong Side of History
Wrong Side of History
The Worst Year Ever
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
33
3
Share

This is the story of the Black Death. It started during lockdown, when I spent a lot of time reading about the Plague and disease generally – probably not the best choice of subject matter for my mental state, in retrospect. As I read more, I thought of turning it into an extended essay or even book, but I then concluded that of all subjects in history, no one wants to read about a pandemic. Even before the Covid vaccine came along, I suspected that the subject would be forgotten about because most epidemics aren’t remembered: unlike war, which brings glorious narratives of national salvation, disease is just… depressing. But, since over the next two or three years I ended up writing thousands of words on the subject, I thought I’d publish on my substack as a series.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Wrong Side of History to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Ed West
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More