The End of Innocence: Britain in the Time of AIDS

Description

** With a new introduction by Russell T Davies ** 'A remarkable journalistic achievement.' - Time Out 'Powerful . . . Indispensable.' - Observer 'Superb.' - London Review of Books Winner of the Somerset Maugham Prize How does a country control a virus that is killing increasing numbers of people? How does a government contain an epidemic spread by sex, drug use and blood products? And how does a population react when told that everyone is at risk from infection? By 1986, when the British Government woke up to the problem of AIDS, it estimated that 30,000 people had already been infected with HIV. Why was it so slow to act? Would the situation have been different if most of those affected had not been gay men? Award-winning journalist Simon Garfield presents a story of political intrigue, of panic and hysteria, of wasted opportunities and of a medical battle conducted against seemingly impossible odds. Including interviews with key figures in the fight against the virus as well as those facing personal devastation and prejudice, The End of Innocence is an important and powerful story, compellingly told. Features a new afterword by the author.

Simon Garfield was born in London in 1960. He is the author of an appealingly diverse and unpredictable canon of non-fiction, including the bestsellers Mauve, Just My Type and On The Map. He is a trustee of Mass Observation, and is the editor of several books of diaries from the archive, including Our Hidden Lives and A Notable Woman. His study of Aids in Britain, The End of Innocence, won the Somerset Maugham Prize, while To The Letter was one of the inspirations for the theatre shows Letters Live. His most recent book is Dog's Best Friend: A Brief History of an Unbreakable Bond.

"A superb account . . . A strongly gripping, essential read." -- Pink Paper "Impressive . . . Garfield recognises the power of dramatising the story in human terms." -- Guardian "This is our And the Band Played On. Enlivened by telling interviews with health educators, doctors, AIDS activists, social workers, government ministers, and those directly affected - there's something for everyone here: pragmatism, incompetence, denial, bigotry, bravery, humour, guilt and some optimism." -- Arena "A powerful and painful book. Indispensable and instructive . . . Garfield gives us the whole story in a voice which is passionately intent, but controlled and conversational." -- Observer "An indispensable book, essential to an understanding of the times we -- the lucky ones -- lived through." -- Simon Callow "Combines the best qualities of a medical thriller, a political investigation, and an invaluable social record." -- Time Out