Simukai Chigudu, The Political Life of an Epidemic: cholera, crisis and citizenship in Zimbabwe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (hb £78.99 – 978 1 108 48910 2; pb £26.99 – 978 1 108 73344 1). 2020, v + 230 pp.

Abstract

Relatedly, faith-based organizations were also influential in response efforts during Ebola and Zika, in part due to their ability to withstand time (in contrast to politicians, who come and go), as Chigudu correctly indicates.4 Ultimately, The Political Life of an Epidemic would greatly benefit from more comparative work with other epidemics, and in terms of political and social context. [...]it is hard to discern what is novel about this particular case study and what is generalizable. Overall, The Political Life of an Epidemic powerfully illustrates how the transformation of the bureaucratic state, in addition to the contentious politics of urban government, led to a public health disaster.