"The Speckled Monster" by Tucsonan Jennifer Lee Carrell got a shout-out at the Republican presidential debate Wednesday.
Sen. Rand Paul— who went to Duke University Medical School, received a medical degree in 1988, and introduced himself Wednesday as an "eye surgeon from Bowling Green, Kentucky" — was involved in discussion about the rights of parents to withhold vaccinations.
Paul said "One of the greatest — one of the greatest medical discoveries of all times was — were the vaccines, particularly for smallpox. And if you want to read a story, it’s called 'The Speckled Monster,' it’s an amazing story, it was all done voluntary."
"The Speckled Monster: A Historical Tale of Battling Smallpox" is a narrative nonfiction describes the fight against the disease and the culture of fear that surrounded it. It was released in 2003.
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Putting politics aside, to call national attention to "The Speckled Monster" was a compliment for Carrell's well researched, in-depth book about the disease and two heros who sought to end the deadly disease.
Carrell is the co-chairman of the Tucson Festival of Books Authors Committee.
