Ep. 1003 - Is The Law An Ass?

The book examines the origin, spread, and consequences of the 1918 influenza pandemic. It traces the virus to Haskell County, Kansas, and details how it spread globally through military camps and troop movements during World War I. Barry discusses the scientific efforts to identify the pathogen, the failure to develop an effective vaccine at the time, and the significant social and political factors that exacerbated the pandemic. The book also highlights the long-term impact of the pandemic, including the revolutionary scientific discoveries that followed, such as Oswald Avery's proof that DNA carries genetic information.

This novel tells the true story of the French officer Georges Picquart from 1896 to 1906, as he struggles to expose the truth about the doctored evidence that sent Alfred Dreyfus to Devil's Island. Picquart, initially convinced of Dreyfus's guilt, discovers that the military and government had doctored the evidence. Despite warnings from his superiors, Picquart persists in his investigation, risking his career and life to free an innocent man and expose a real spy operating within the military. The book is a compelling historical novel and spy thriller that portrays principled actions in the face of injustice and corruption.