Tucson author gets shout-out at presidential debate

"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."

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"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. 

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.