Celebrities, Heroes and Champions: Popular politicians in the age of reform, 1810–67

Abstract

continually made the same point using slightly different language. Tighter editing would have addressed these issues. This is a decent book and is worth a read, but those approaching it should be aware that the central thesis so self-confidently presented in the author’s introduction sounds more exciting and interesting than the reality that has been delivered. Maladies of Empire will not transform understandings of the roots of modern epidemiology. It remains, nonetheless, an important, if incremental, step in the journey of broadening our contextual understanding of the topic. Downs presents a reminder, timely if not original, that historians will be well served to apply in other historical contexts, namely that it was the victims on ‘slave ships, plantations and battlefields’ (4) who too often unwittingly provided the data and experiences that underpinned the development of modern Western knowledge.