Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War
Historical Memoir
Publisher: Audiobook Empire
Narrator: Claudia Dunn
Run Time: Estimated 9.5 hours to 10 hours
Step into the heart of a turbulent era with Vaccines & Bayonets, a
gripping historical memoir that chronicles one woman’s extraordinary
journey through Africa. In this vivid recounting, Bee Bloeser unveils the
raw reality of her family’s part in the mission to eradicate smallpox,
revealing the triumphs and trials faced along the way.
As a young wife, Bee Bloeser followed her husband, Carl, to Africa, driven
by ideals and a sense of duty. In Nigeria the ravages of civil war and the
plight of starving Biafran children captured global attention. Amidst the
chaos, she witnessed the horrors of smallpox and leprosy, yet found moments
of beauty in the vibrant local culture.
Their journey continued in Equatorial Guinea, a nation newly independent
but plagued by the terror of a brutal dictatorship. In this land where
secrecy shrouded the people, Bee Bloeser confronted a world far removed from
her idealistic expectations. Forbidden from forming connections with locals
and surrounded by a landscape of oppression and suspicion, she documented
her experiences in hidden notes, capturing the essence of a desperate
struggle.
Through her eyes, listeners experience the intense battle against a
relentless virus and against tyranny. This memoir is not just a story of
medical triumph but also a poignant reflection on humanity’s capacity
for courage—the indomitable spirit of those who risk everything for a
better future.
INTERVIEW
Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?
When my late husband died of brain cancer, he left behind hundreds of pages of documents (unclassified you understand), cassette tapes and film detailing our lives in West Africa during the campaign to wipe smallpox from the planet. That two years had been the most life-changing experience of my life. Especially the year spent on an isolated African island--a surreal life under a brutal dictator. Working my way through those extensive archives, I knew I had to tell the story.
What surprised you most about getting your book published?
I guess the most surprising thing has been seeing how deeply my book has touched people all across cultural and ideological divides.
Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing
I love spending time with my family, church family and friends, and I work out at the gym at least three times a week. I’ve always been an animal lover, so about the time I started writing my book, I also started pet-sitting. You know, have laptop—will travel.
As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?
The most pivotal point came when I realized I was revealing a much bigger story than just my family’s personal experience. Moreover, revealing historic information for the very first time. Journalists had been blocked from entering the country I was writing about, and even the former colonial power had forbidden any mention of the country in their own press. Wow. The cryptic notes I’d kept hidden in the sock drawer were breaking open an international story.
Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?
My best ideas come from current events that relate in some way to my life experience. In most cases what I choose to write about is something I think I can shed some light on and touch people’s hearts. Something that may inspire others to go out and make a difference for someone else, whether it’s one other person or a thousand.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
The criticism that was the toughest to hear, actually made me sadder for the person who gave it. The person stopped reading because, “What was the point of saving all those lives?”
What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
My best accomplishment as a writer would have to be releasing this book, and then the audiobook, out into the world.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
None. This is my first and only book. I’d written clinical reports my whole career.
About the Author
Bee Bloeser has lived and worked in Africa, the Middle East and Native
American nations with her husband’s global public health work and her
career in speech-language pathology. An award-winning author, she is a
sought-after public speaker on topics related to her historical memoir. She
lives and writes in California.
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