Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War Paperback – October 2, 2002

This book has been hyped to death (no pun intended) and rightfully so: it was written BEFORE the terrorist attacks and Anthrax cases and is guarenteed to chill your spine -- and maybe haunt your dreams. The bottom line: for years (until 9/11) most Americans had no idea that behind the scenes horrific weapons were being developed that could potentially wipe out an entire country and that if these weapons did not work as expected the whole even world could be at risk. And, worse, that as unpredictable as nations might be, terrorists are far more unpredictable -- and these weapons could easily fall into their hands or be made by them. Ironically, the original run of this book was reportedly modest, but in the aftermath of Sept. 11 it shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list -- and again for GOOD REASON: it is the most "accessible" of the germ warefare books. Germs is a masterful work: full of blow-by-blow detail on the various "germs" (biological, chemical) and the lies and deceit practiced by ALL countries that worked on these unspeakable weapons(lies and deceit aimed at other countries and their own populaces). It's a book that you MUST read, or gift or lend. REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: 1)It shows how various countries including the US secretly worked on biological/chemical warefare weapons for defense purposes through the years. To it's credit, the US got mostly out of the germ warefare biz...but Sadaam's preoccupation with weapons of mass destruction forced the US back in. 2)It shows how the Soviet Union misled the US just as badly as Iraq's dictator did. 3)It goes into stark detail on how deadly these weapons are and how easy it would be for terrorists to develop and use them..and get their desired deadly results. 4)At times it resembles a kind of scientific MYSTERY or THRILLER: it's a whosedoing it with an easy-to-read narrative style. 5)It outlines how researchers discovered precisely who is working on what and what it means -- and does it with a journalistic approach: quotes, facts, but a story with a beginning a middle and an all too possbily frightening end. 6)It is in itself a STRONG argument for eventual military action against Iraq: Sadaam remains the lingering threat, according to the authors. 7)It sets off the alarm -- but leaves room for hope. WHY YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS BOOK: 1)If you're looking for a research document this won't be for you since it is a journalistic work. 2)If you're looking for a pure recitation of each kind of threat and what it means that is probably another book; the info is there but it is woven into the overall theme. 3)If you're looking for a book that says we are just a minute away from buying the farm, this isn't for you -- but you will get a sinking feeling at the horrorific threats out there. Above all: this book was NOT written to capitalize on the present climate...it was written BEFORE the recent tragic events, which makes its well-delivered message even more compelling and credible.

Great book! Very informative. Good for experts working in the Antiterrorism field.

There is no good news in this book, so if you want to read something encouraging on what is naturally a terrifyingly grim topic, skip this book. That being said, I thought this was an excellent book and absolutely something that I would recommend anyone to read if you can handle the subject matter.The book is written in a very matter-of-fact manner, and not an alarmist way. It gave an excellent background overview and insight into the complexities involved with tracking down and doing anything to prevent biological attacks.Again, it is not reassuring to know facts such as: a) Even if a strain of anthrax could be identified and a vaccine existed, it would not be possible to grow cultures quickly enough to create vaccines for everyone. b) Botulism is more of a concern than anthrax, as is smallpox. c) The actual testing and research that Russia and Iraq did on biological weapons was far, far worse than what we'd imagined.However, it can be argued that it is important to know the real facts behind "Germs" in these days where there is so much media attention being placed on the topic. This book helps us recognize the facts.

Appropriate reading in this time of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Interesting read from well known and credible author. It's worth it even if you only read the chapter about viruses.

This book really opened my eyes to how vulnerable we are (and have been) to attacks of the biological nature in this country. It was very well researched and written, without bias or any type of political affiliation or agenda. It was very informative and I plan on using it for my undergraduate class on Homeland Security. This is a "keeper" after you read it as well.

My conclusion after reading this book: How evil man is! It seems that all what mankind is really concerned about is how to destroy itself by the cruelest, most wicked and gruesome ways possible. The atomic bomb was not enough to satisfy man's craving for destruction. Newer means of killing one's adversaries had to be created. Germs, bacteria, and viruses could fulfill man's desire for gruesome killings - for now!The book starts in 1984 Dalles, Oregon, when an Indian sect, the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, poisons the residents with salmonella. No one died, but nearly 1,000 were infected with a strain of salmonella that the sect had legally obtained, then cultured and distributed by spraying it on the food of the unsuspecting residents. The goal of the sect was to incapacitate the residents in order to keep them home and unable to vote in the coming elections! The authors show how easy it is for anyone to acquire and then scatter biological agents.The authors then describe other instances when biological agents were used, such as the Aum Shinrikyo sarin attacks on a Tokyo subway. They also trace the history of biological warfare, starting from World War II to the present.The authors also show how politics play a role in this biological warfare. Governments trick each other, making the other believe they have no biological weapons when in fact they do! They sign treaties between each other banning the culture of biological agents, but secretly break those treaties. The authors explain the biological agents that governments have cultured for warfare (such as Anthrax, and Ebola). They also make us aware that many scientists around the globe (especially in the former Soviet Union) who worked on biological warfare can now be easily recruited by other countries such as Iran and North Korea. The threat of biological warfare is still rising, according to the authors.Furthermore, they argue, germ warfare is suited to unconventional attacks by terrorists. Germs can kill as many people as atomic bombs, are more discreet to manufacture, transport, and use on targets. They also give time for the terrorist to escape (i.e. leave the country).The question that will linger on your mind at the completion of the book is whether doomsday will be a result of a massive nuclear war, of microscopic biological agents, or of as now an undiscovered and more horrific weapon!

From the cover you hope that at long last this will answer the huge questions about Iraq and the WMDs (those that we DID find, but then denied existed) ... Did our allies sell them to Hussein but we dare not admit it ? Was it Russia, North Korea, Iran - and we dare not confront them ? ... Or was it all a huge showbiz bravado act built around a few skilled lab technicians. This book gets a little nearer to confronting the elephant in the room - but we are still awaiting the truth.

Book was not in very good/good condition as sold.