How The Vast A.I.D.S. Tragedy Grew (Press, 13 May 1989)

"And the Band Played On," authored by Randy Shilts, is a comprehensive exploration of the AIDS epidemic, primarily focusing on the United States, particularly San Francisco, covering the period from December 1976 to May 1987. The book, consisting of 630 pages, addresses a multitude of human experiences—courage, incompetence, fear, as well as social issues amidst the tragic backdrop of a rising health crisis. Shilts deftly balances various narratives encompassing political, medical, and personal aspects, providing a rich and intricate account of the tragedy marked by human folly. He illustrates the shared human tendency to ignore uncomfortable truths, particularly in the context of the AIDS crisis, exemplified by a protest in San Francisco on March 30, 1984. Despite clear evidence of how bathhouses facilitated the spread of AIDS, numerous protesters viewed health measures aimed at closing such venues as infringements on their civil liberties. The book critically highlights the response of the American bloodbank industry, which delayed acknowledging that AIDS could be transmitted through infected blood. This negligence led to many preventable deaths, stemming from concerns about the costs of screening blood donations and the dominant role of gay men as blood donors. The character of Dr Joseph Bove, chairman of the Food and Drug Administration's blood advisory panel in 1983, is emblematic of the denial prevalent among many experts, as he dismissed emerging evidence of AIDS transmission through transfusions. Shilts also chronicles the contentious discovery of the AIDS virus itself. The narrative juxtaposes the efforts of French researchers at the Pasteur Institute and the American Dr Robert Gallo from the National Cancer Institute. The French team identified the virus, known as LAV, around January 1983, while Gallo was also investigating what he believed to be a related virus, HTLV. A pivotal moment arose in April 1984 when Gallo claimed to have discovered the virus, which was later revealed to be identical to the French strain, leading to a complicated and politically charged dispute. The review suggests that AIDS, despite its severity and lack of a cure, must be viewed within a broader context of diseases and threats. Shilts’ work serves as a reminder of the fragility of human life, the nature of societal responses to unexpected health crises, and the ongoing struggle against ignorance and discrimination. Overall, "And the Band Played On" not only documents the harrowing impact of AIDS but also offers a poignant reflection on how humanity grapples with challenges, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths and recognise the resilience required to combat widespread health crises.

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