And the Band Played On

And the Band Played On

Author	Randy Shilts
Country	United States
Language	English
Subject	HIV/AIDS epidemic
Publisher	St. Martin's Press
Publication date	1987
Pages	630
ISBN	0-312-00994-1

And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic is a 1987 book by Randy Shilts, a journalist who worked for the San Francisco Chronicle. The book chronicles the discovery and spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a particular focus on the United States in the early 1980s. It is notable for its detailed account of the political and social factors that contributed to the epidemic's spread and the delay in the response from the government and medical community.

Overview

The book is divided into several sections, each detailing different aspects of the epidemic's progression. Shilts provides a comprehensive narrative that includes the stories of the scientists, doctors, and activists who were involved in the early fight against AIDS, as well as the patients who suffered from the disease.

Key Themes

• Political Inaction: Shilts criticizes the lack of response from the Reagan Administration and other political entities, highlighting how bureaucratic indifference and homophobia contributed to the epidemic's unchecked spread.
• Scientific Challenges: The book details the scientific challenges faced by researchers trying to identify the cause of AIDS, including the competition and lack of cooperation between different research teams.
• Social Stigma: Shilts discusses the stigma faced by the LGBT community and how this affected public perception and policy regarding AIDS.

Impact

Upon its release, And the Band Played On was both praised and criticized. It brought widespread attention to the AIDS crisis and is credited with influencing public opinion and policy. The book was later adapted into a 1993 film of the same name, which further increased its impact.

Critical Reception

The book received critical acclaim for its thorough research and compelling narrative. However, some critics pointed out that Shilts' portrayal of certain individuals and events was controversial, particularly his depiction of Gaëtan Dugas, a Canadian flight attendant who was controversially labeled as "Patient Zero."

Legacy

And the Band Played On remains an important work in the history of the AIDS epidemic. It is often used in medical education to teach about the social and political dimensions of public health crises.

Also see

• HIV/AIDS
• Randy Shilts
• Gaëtan Dugas
• History of HIV/AIDS
• LGBT rights in the United States