The Moth in the Iron Lung Audiobook By Forrest Maready cover art

The Moth in the Iron Lung

A Biography of Polio

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Moth in the Iron Lung

By: Forrest Maready
Narrated by: Forrest Maready
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

A fascinating account of the world’s most famous disease - polio - told as you have never heard it before. Epidemics of paralysis began to rage in the early 1900s, seemingly out of nowhere. Doctors, parents, and health officials were at a loss to explain why this formerly unheard-of disease began paralyzing so many children - usually starting in their legs, sometimes moving up through their abdomen and arms. For an unfortunate few, it could paralyze the muscles that allowed them to breathe.

Why did this disease start to become such a horrible problem during the late 1800s? Why did it affect children more often than adults? Why was it originally called teething paralysis by mothers and their doctors? Why were animals so often paralyzed during the early epidemics when it was later discovered most animals could not become infected? The Moth in the Iron Lung is a fascinating biography of this horrible paralytic disease, where it came from, and why it disappeared in the 1950s. If you’ve never explored the polio story beyond the tales of crippled children and iron lungs, this book will be sure to surprise.

©2018 Forrest Maready (P)2018 Forrest Maready
History & Commentary Physical Illness & Disease World Thought-Provoking Health care
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Moth in the Iron Lung

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    431
  • 4 Stars
    34
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    12
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    367
  • 4 Stars
    39
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    386
  • 4 Stars
    23
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    11

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling! An absolute must read!

“The Moth in the Iron Lung” is a must read for everyone. Everything done in our current “health world” is based on the history of its modern beginnings. Fascinating story written in a way that is not only interesting but captivating. Learn the history of the iron lung and polio, the “disease” that changed the world. Be prepared to be blown awan

Best book I’ve read. Seriously.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very informative

Like many other truth seekers this book portrays a varied perspective of what media and the medical community have told us about polio and it’s effects on our children and societies approach to dis-ease. Worth the read if you allow your mind to explore different possibilities

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A timeline of the polio epidemic.

Over the course of my life, the more I have done the history, the more I have realized just how nuanced it truly is and how I have only ever been taught one perspective. This book was extremely eye-opening. It wasn’t really some thing that I wanted to listen to… But I believe in listening to two sides of every story.

The author did a great job of telling the story. It read more like someone who is sitting across from you and telling you the story of the history of polio.

The author paralleled the rise in “poliomyelitis“ with the rise and toxic pesticides… Namely, lead, arsenic, and DDT. His overall hypothesis is that the use of these toxic pesticides allowed viruses to supersede the bodies own immune system and reach into the nervous system causing paralysis. He follows a timeline closely matched with the rise in these pesticides. It’s compelling at least. And earth shattering at most.

Highly recommend for anyone curious about the much preached narrative that a vaccine ended the polio epidemic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Should be required reading for all teens and adults.

This book was incredibly written and narrated. It made me realize that as time moves forward - little changes. I feel that this book should be required reading because clearly our past is currently repeating itself and most people have no idea what they are actually talking about. You won’t be disappointed. Download this one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Must Reqd

This book provides a good insight into why you have to do your own research when it comes to your family’s health. If we do not search out root cause in health we end up with quick fix solutions that may do more harm than good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well Researched and eye opening

I loved every second. It was a super interesting story. I had almost no idea of any of the history and it is all very believable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mind blowing history of Polio epidemic

Maready is a great story teller. I’ve never heard of this alternative history around the epidemic. Food for thought!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

MIND BLOWING!!

i absolutely loved this book. its so informative and is easy to understand. Great read!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating medical mystery superbly narrated.

The narration is clear, well paced, engaging, and rhythmically cadenced.

What a fascinating alternative explanation for the tuberculosis epidemics, further empirical support for monitoring closely the use of chemicals to control pests and increase crop yields.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wow. just wow.

a must read if you give one iota about health, pesticides, children, safety within our food supply / agriculture. such a fantastic read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!