The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus

Great book! Prices have increased for this one dramatically. Glad I got one cheaper. Sending it to my daughter after I tried to order another and price was over twice as much!

The real low-down on how close the human race can be to extinction.

Richard Preston's Hot Zone is a well-written book, that keeps you wanting for more, page after page. It's the kind of book that makes you think 'Okay, just one more chapter'. It gives you the chills, and it has you at the edge of your sit as you read about gory death and smart scientists. Yet, as a virologist in formation (working on a masters degree), I must tell you all that Preston exaggerates.Filoviruses ARE dangerous level four biosafety agents, but they will hardly cause the end of humans species, as Preston practically suggests. He paints filoviruses as thinking predators out there for your blood, when in reality that is not the case. There are way much more important viruses (influenza) with a higher mortality rate that people tend to overlook.His interest and passion for the topic are evident, but he lacks in objectivity and exceeds at drama. He makes it look worse than it really is.I had read this book twice. The first time, during my first year of College and the second one during my first year of Masters.While the first time I read it I pretty much panicked, the second time I realized it was way overdone.My recommendation:If you have no backround knowledge of parasitology and/or virology, this book will be quite a thrill, but do not take Preston's descriptions to heart.Also, exaggeration set aside, this book does elicit interest in biology/virology/parasitology, and it did help me to choose Virology as my Masters. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it the very first time I read it.

This should be an all out Hollywood Blockbuster. As scary as it is, The Hot Zone is one highly recommended read for everyone, and if people don't like to read then either a doco or movie should be made. It just goes to show how unprepared we all are when dealing with a deadly Bio-weapon from nature. Such an easy book to read, no extensive medical of scientific jargon to confuse the reader. The author writes for everyone's level of understanding and it has a dramatic impact on one's mind and sense of survival. Honestly believe me - READ THE BOOK.

“The earth is attempting to rid itself of an infection by the human parasite”. At the end of the book this is the conclusion Richard Preston arrives at. With seven billion people – more living than dead, as someone put it – how far are we from the apocalypse? Preston’s book warns us that it may not be very far.An important book.