Why people recommend it
And the Band Played on by Randy Shilts is a sweeping and deeply reported historical account of the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the institutional failures that worsened the crisis. Scott Wiener recommended the book on The Ezra Klein Show in April 2023 during an episode titled Democrats: Pay Attention to What’s Happening in California, praising it as the definitive and authoritative history of the public health debacle surrounding the epidemic and noting its value in teaching leaders what not to do during a health crisis. Additionally, Pamela Paul mentioned the book on The Book Review in July 2024 during an episode featuring Thomas Friedman, reflecting on how her initial reaction to David France's work immediately brought Shilts's seminal text to mind. Both speakers underscored the enduring relevance and emotional weight of Shilts's journalism, which meticulously documented government inaction, scientific bureaucracy, and the devastating human toll of a global tragedy.
Who recommended it
- Pamela Paul Discussed
- Scott Wiener Recommended
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“it's funny because my initial reaction when seeing the book was of course to think of Randy Schultz and the band played on and I was like well but that book just came out”
Scott Wiener — 1 mention
“one is a book called and the band played on by Randy Schultz which is I think the definitive authoritative uh history of the public health debacle that fueled the HIV aids crisis and you can learn a lot about what not to do when you have a public health problem or a pandemic”