Helpful Score: 4
Fascinating book about the eradication of Smallpox and also Bioterrorism. Really worth reading. Written as if it were a thriller novel. I guess maybe it is except that it's for real and mey get us yet.
Helpful Score: 2
will scare the crap out of it, and it's based on true information. even far scarier is HOT ZONE also by Preston. If you're interested in medicine and diseases and stuff, these are the books to read
Helpful Score: 1
chilling account of the situation regarding smallpox. Also the post 9/11 anthrax cases are recounted. Not as good as "Hot Zone" imo, but worthy of reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Sobering look at possible release of Small Pox back into the population by terrorist nations. True information , written by the author of "The Hot Zone"
Helpful Score: 1
A must read for all in this era of potential bio-terrorism. Preston covers the history of smallpox and anthrax outbreaks and puts them in perspective of today's threats. A great explanation of level 4 "hot" labs and how the CDC, WHO, HHS, Homeland Security and US military interact to handle a bio-emergency. If you like the TV show CSI, you'll like this real life story of how labs track down a bio-culprit!
Helpful Score: 1
Really interesting read - more than you wanted to know about smallpox, but it will definitely keep you riveted.
Helpful Score: 1
A very credible book about an incredibile topic. This book is a mesmerizing, fantastic recounting of the history of smallpox. I can't say enough about this book. It gives brief descriptions of true and dedicated heros in the fight to eradicate a terrible disease. Definately worth a credit.
Helpful Score: 1
A book that was interesting to some one who has never read anything significant on biological weapons. Great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Once again Richard Preston takes on a subject and shakes our world of how safe we really are from what we thought was gone, small pocks. What crazy thoughts go through the minds of scientists? Why would they continue to keep this deadly virus alive and change it's DNA structure. Read the book and find out, you will not be disappointed.
preston's wonderful book about fatal infectiuos disease. reads like a good thriller
very vivid and informative
A fascinating read.
Summary:
In one of the freatest feats of modern science, the devastating smallpox virus, the worst disease in human history, was purged from the planet in 1979. In tyhe interest of research, two stores were kept: one at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and one at a Russian virology institute. But the demon in the freezer has been set loose.
Like the Hot Zone Richard Preston tells a non-fiction tale with fiction like suspense.
In one of the freatest feats of modern science, the devastating smallpox virus, the worst disease in human history, was purged from the planet in 1979. In tyhe interest of research, two stores were kept: one at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and one at a Russian virology institute. But the demon in the freezer has been set loose.
Like the Hot Zone Richard Preston tells a non-fiction tale with fiction like suspense.
This is a true story of how the smallpox (and other like virus's) have been eliminated. However, the chance of the virus's coming back is possible due to various places around the world still having virus's. Very informative and a definate must read for those who are interested in viruses.
Pretty scary stuff. A real look at what could happen if bio-terror were to emerge.
Good book, some what technical.
I LOVE these books, though they a VERY creepy and thought provoking.
The demon is smallpox. This book is scarier than bio-terrorism. It is riveting. "Preston turns a story about science and medicine into a theme-park ride of a thriller." The New York Times. Darkly entertaining and compelling.
Horrifying!
gave me the willies
