⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“An incredible memoir, beautifully written, and unlike any other I’ve read. Bloeser is a gifted story-teller who seamlessly weaves her family’s narrative into the tragic backdrop of beautiful West Africa. She draws the reader in with her down-to-earth and authentic writing style. As a mother of young children, I was most drawn to her telling of her young children and her efforts to allow them to experience the beauty of cross-cultural living while also doing her best to shield them from danger and trauma. The author has done a phenomenal job telling her family’s story as well as offering unique, first-hand insights into West African history and culture.” — RRL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Vaccines and Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa Amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War is an historically impeccable and a personally inspiring memoir. . . . . The chapters are historical — gripping for readers with little or no experience of Africa.” — Ethel Lee-Miller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I highly recommend this to anyone interested in disease control and the experience of living in the hardest of circumstances.” —Mela Ansmith
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Her first-hand account is told with such fine detail and great affection for a continent, a country, and a people that very nearly broke her heart. This story will never leave you.” — nanhum
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Her insights into international intrigue created by dictators as well as that created by miscommunication and incompetence was clear. . . . This is a a well told story of success and its collateral damage. . . . Gratefully the author not only lived this moment, kept meticulous notes but also has the ability to bring us an understanding of the importance this historic moment had for mankind as regards disease.” — N Jewett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This well written and well told memoir grabs you from the first page and hangs on to the last word. The research for all the background information is impressive. If you are fascinated by experiences from Africa or interested in the valiant efforts to eradicate the scourge of smallpox, then you’ll find this book a terrific read. It reminds us that the world is full of unsung heroes and those, without whose support they couldn’t do the job.” — A Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“…. Her description of life in Equatorial Guinea is unique and goes into detail about embassy life and politics. It is well written and truthful. Highly recommended!” — Dr Joyce Bradley (who appears in the book)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Books are my gifts of choice for my grandchildren, sons, sisters and friends. After reading Vaccines and Bayonets, my Christmas decisions were easy this year. Those grandchildren loving adventure? Vaccines and Bayonets. Those fascinated with the world of politics? Vaccines and Bayonets. Those considering a career in public service? my grandchildren- parents wondering how to cope? those vaccine hesitants on my list? I keep coming up with the same answer — Vaccines and Bayonets. And I know I will have a very satisfied family of every age. Thanks, Bee Bloeser, for writing and publishing this book. We need it in this world!” — ML
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“The people they worked with, friends, staff, and diplomats alike are described with generosity, love and respect. . . . . Do not think this is just a story about the global eradication of disease. This book is an “edge of your seat” read. told by a woman with clarity of purpose and a global point of view . . . .There is an extensive bibliography, and a timeline of the life and death of the brutal dictator of Equatorial Guinea, Macias.” — Joan L
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This is an engaging personal story imbedded in an important event in medical and social history: the only time a disease has been completely eradicated. Well-written and thoughtful, Vaccines and Bayonets takes us behind the scenes of that history and shows us the often-overlooked support role of spouses and families of anti-smallpox workers. It also describes the difficulties of living under an autocratic ruler, a situation not reported elsewhere because journalists and most other foreigners had been forced to leave the tiny African country and because its former colonizing country suppressed writing about it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“The emergence of Covid 19 brings this historical memoir closer to our own world even though many circumstances surrounding the two diseases and our responses to them differ. Bloeser’s journey from naive newcomer to seasoned observer is an education, and her story brings us both daunting obstacles and the hope with which to face them.” — DesertDweller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I couldn’t put this book down. Carefully researched and based on original sources as well as the author’s first-hand experience, this memoir shines light on both the end of the scourge of smallpox as well as the often violent end of colonialism in Africa. The most unexpectedly interesting aspect for me was the role/actions of the US State Department, USAID and CDC employees and representatives during this time of hope (smallpox eradication) and despair (authoritarian hijacking of de-colonization). The author’s lived experience and that of her family is well-told and recounted with not a small amount of humor and compassion. Definitely a good read about people doing their jobs under extraordinary circumstances.” — Laura Wilson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Once I started this memoir, I left chores undone in order to keep reading. Bee Bloeser writes in such a compelling way that I was transported to Africa with her. …reads like a novel…but it is true and carefully documented. Every component of a good read is here: intrigue, adventure, humorous moments, even murder.” — Margaret A. Elliott
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Loved this book! It’s an easy story to read. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in <72 hours. The author draws you in with relatable but amazing stories about their family’s experience in Africa.” — A Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Bee’s descriptions make my heart race and want to stay up all night reading. She puts you right there in the moment—— better than a movie. Much better!!” — Rebecca Day