The perspective that the author gives to this book is unique. In most stories, smallpox plays not the role of a major character, but a minor role. In my opinion, smallpox was a major factor during the Revolutionary War, and Feen focuses on several key areas, allowing us to see just how serious this epidemic was and the hold it had not only on the soldiers, but also on the settlers. not play favorites when it came to choosing a victim. Whether it was a young child or an elderly person, smallpox destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over eight years in the colonies. Fenn did a great job, in my opinion, of describing how serious this illness was and painting a horrific picture in explaining what people endured in the face of the illness. Even as the author begins her introduction to the book, she explains that Viariola (smallpox) blinded, scarred, mutilated, and killed many of its victims. It is difficult to imagine what these people endured when they contracted smallpox. However, according to the author, they did not let the virus destroy them. They fought back with every fiber of their body to understand and enlighten this dreaded enemy. According to Feen, smallpox took its toll on Americans as well as British colonists and soldiers. Another interesting element I found in the introduction was the map of how the virus spread across North America. The virus from what I can see only needs a host to travel. Upon closer examination, you will find that the virus followed the routes of soldiers or other militias as they crossed parts of North America and Canada. Once this started it seemed like there was no stopping middle of paper as the years went by for many people when it came to smallpox and the American Revolution. Fenn, I believe, was able to shed light on a subject that has received little attention. Even when we read the Revolution from other perspectives, smallpox is only briefly mentioned as the major outcome of the war. I think the author has pointed out something that deserves even more careful consideration. Smallpox played an important role in our history, affecting thousands of people as it spread across North America. As historians, we must be aware that smallpox's impact on the colonies and the Revolutionary War were as much a part of our history as the "shot heard round the world." Works Cited Benedictow, Ole Jorgen, The Black Death 1346-1353 The Complete History, New York: Boydell Press.2004.Feen, Elizabeth, Pox American. New York: Hill and Wang, 2002.