The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis, as seen on BBC Two Between the Covers

The Black Angels tells the story of Black nurses who helped cure tuberculosis in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, despite facing racism and a dire nurse shortage. The book has been shortlisted for the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize 2024 and has received critical acclaim for its informative and enthralling portrayal of history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2024
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

New York City, 1929. A sanatorium, a deadly disease, and a dire nurse shortage. So begins the remarkable true story of the Black nurses who helped cure tuberculosis, one of the world's deadliest plagues, told alongside the often strange chronicle of the cure's discovery. SHORTLISTED FOR THE PEN HESSELL-TILTMAN PRIZE 2024 A tour de force PEN Gripping New York Times Wonderfully told . . . an invaluable restoration of another of history's racially biased omissions Diana Evans Their triumphant story has until now been almost completely neglected The Bookseller Informative, enthralling, and sometimes appalling, this is history at its best Booklist During those dark pre-antibiotic days, when tuberculosis killed 1 in 7 people, white nurses at Sea View, New York's largest municipal hospital, began quitting. Desperate to avert a public health crisis, city officials summoned Black southern nurses, luring them with promises of good pay, a career, and an escape from the strictures of Jim Crow. But after arriving, they found themselves on an isolated hilltop in the remote borough of Staten Island, yet again confronting racism and consigned to a woefully understaffed facility, dubbed the pest house, where no one left alive. Spanning the Great Depression and moving through World War II and beyond, this story follows the intrepid young women, the Black Angels, who, for twenty years, risked their lives working under dreadful conditions while caring for the city's poorest - 1,800 souls languishing in wards, waiting to die or become guinea pigs for experimental (often deadly) drugs. Yet despite their major role in desegregating the NYC hospital system - and vital work in the race for the cure for tuberculosis and subsequently helping to find it at Sea View - their story has been largely forgotten. Until now. In this gripping and deeply moving book, author Diana Evans brings to life the remarkable story of the Black Angels, a group of nurses who defied the odds and made a lasting impact on the world. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Evans reveals the courage, resilience, and determination of these women as they battled against racism, poverty, and disease to save lives and change the course of history. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II, the book follows the Black Angels as they travel from their homes in the South to New York City, where they are recruited by the city's largest municipal hospital, Sea View. Despite the challenges they face, including racism and understaffing, the Black Angels quickly become an integral part of the hospital's staff, providing care to patients with tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. However, their work is not without its risks. The Black Angels are exposed to the deadly disease themselves, and many of them contract tuberculosis. Despite the risks, the Black Angels continue to work tirelessly, often putting their own health and safety at risk. They are determined to find a cure for tuberculosis, and their efforts are rewarded when they discover a new drug that shows promise in treating the disease. The discovery of this drug is a major milestone in the fight against tuberculosis, and it is credited to the Black Angels and their colleagues. However, their work is not without its challenges. The drug is expensive, and many patients cannot afford it. The Black Angels work tirelessly to raise awareness about the drug and to advocate for its use. They also work to improve the conditions of the patients at Sea View, including providing better food and medical care. Despite the challenges they face, the Black Angels remain committed to their work. They continue to care for patients with tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases, and they work to educate others about the disease. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of fighting for what is right. In conclusion, Diana Evans' book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, medicine, or social justice. It tells the remarkable story of the Black Angels, a group of nurses who defied the odds and made a lasting impact on the world. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Evans reveals the courage, resilience, and determination of these women as they battled against racism, poverty, and disease to save lives and change the course of history. The book is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of fighting for what is right.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 126 x 198 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349009285