Dr. Fred and the Spanish lady : fighting the killer flu

Authors O'Keefe and Macdonald have studied Underhill's grand defence and yeoman service to meet a medical challenge unique in our history.

Their timely story comes exactly one century after Underhill was appointed Vancouver's first medical health officer, and in the lingering shadow of SARS, an ominous indicator of how vulnerable we remain to new viral diseases.

With a proven record of grand storytelling, Betty and Ian celebrate the public-health achievements of one man while giving contemporary meaning to an 85-year-old mystery.

This is a compelling read that may both educate and scare the hell out of you.