Memoir Feature: Vaccines & Bayonets by Bee Bloeser #giveaway #audiobook #bookreview #memoir #nonfiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 

 

Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War

Historical Memoir

Publisher:  Audiobook Empire

Narrator: Claudia Dunn

Run Time: Estimated 9.5 hours to 10 hours

 

Step into the heart of a turbulent era with Vaccines & Bayonets, a gripping historical memoir that chronicles one woman’s extraordinary journey through Africa. In this vivid recounting, Bee Bloeser unveils the raw reality of her family’s part in the mission to eradicate smallpox, revealing the triumphs and trials faced along the way.

As a young wife, Bee Bloeser followed her husband, Carl, to Africa, driven by ideals and a sense of duty. In Nigeria the ravages of civil war and the plight of starving Biafran children captured global attention. Amidst the chaos, she witnessed the horrors of smallpox and leprosy, yet found moments of beauty in the vibrant local culture.

Their journey continued in Equatorial Guinea, a nation newly independent but plagued by the terror of a brutal dictatorship. In this land where secrecy shrouded the people, Bee Bloeser confronted a world far removed from her idealistic expectations. Forbidden from forming connections with locals and surrounded by a landscape of oppression and suspicion, she documented her experiences in hidden notes, capturing the essence of a desperate struggle.

Through her eyes, listeners experience the intense battle against a relentless virus and against tyranny. This memoir is not just a story of medical triumph but also a poignant reflection on humanity’s capacity for courage—the indomitable spirit of those who risk everything for a better future.

Review

This was a 5* star listen from start to finish. 

There is something about reading about things you have heard about but maybe didn't put enough thought into. Pulling back the curtain and getting a real view from someone who lived it, makes it that much better. 

A daunting time and real life account of those who were on the front lines trying everything they could to help when the odds were stacked against them. 

This is inspiring, it really makes you think about what you've done to help humanity and how much more self less some people are. 

I appreciate the author brining her story and this subject to light. She does so in a way that is enlightening and inspirational. 

About the Author

Bee Bloeser has lived and worked in Africa, the Middle East and Native American nations with her husband’s global public health work and her career in speech-language pathology. An award-winning author, she is a sought-after public speaker on topics related to her historical memoir. She lives and writes in California.

 

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Purchase Link

Audible