Books In the News: Sick From Freedom

What happened to the newly freed slaves after the Emancipation Proclamation? Apparently a large number of them died from an epidemic of Smallpox.

"Sick From Freedom," written by Jim Downs, an assistant professor of history at Connecticut College, examines the public health crisis of that time.  Jennifer Schuessler, of the New York Times Books section says,

"At least one quarter of the four million former slaves got sick or died between 1862 and 1870, Professor Downs writes, including at least 60,000 (the actual number is probably two or three times higher, he argues) who perished in a smallpox epidemic that began in Washington and spread through the South as former slaves traveled in search of work — an epidemic that Professor Downs says he is the first to reconstruct as a national event.”

I grew up in the late 70s, early 80s when a very white-washed version of American history was taught. For example, the first I learned of Japanese Internment Camps was when I read a term paper of my dad's at about 25. I wish history was taught as it was, not made pretty when it suits. How are we supposed to skip the repeating if we don't learn the lessons? 

Anyway, this sounds like a fascinating read... but I'm kind of nerdy about history... so use your best judgement.