Bioterrorism Books

Being helpless in this day and age should not be a choice for anyone. And whether we go to war or not, since my voice and hundreds of thousands of others' voices cannot be heard above the rumbling of the war machine, I at least now have knowledge that there are options and methods of protecting myself and my family. I urge every American and English speaking individual to reach for the knowledge and wisdom this book presents. I am now in control. Others can be, too!
Thank you,
Mike

If you read any of my past reviews on Gary's books, you'd see that I have been very critical of his approach. He always backs off when he writes a book, and never gives the kind of in depth information he always does on his radio show. I've always wondered why..

However, with this new book, Gary delivers in a huge way. He tells it like it is, and has finally written a book that is as hard hitting and cutting edge as his radio show is.

This book covers everything from the history of biological warfare, vaccines, conventional BW treatments, alternative treatments, how to detoxify, de-acidify, how to manage stress, and much more. Very dynamic delivery, and very well written. Excellent job, Gary.

Gary Null has done it again in his timely new book, "Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations." As the looming war with Iraq approaches, Americans more than ever have to be prepared to deal with potential biohazards and terrorist threats. In this terrific, informative book, Mr. Null, with the assistance of James Feast, provides a detailed, yet gripping review of the history of biological warfare and what societies have done to defend themselves. To fully understand the nature of biological threats - both natural and manmade - Gary takes the reader on a tour of the most important biological hazards and how, without protection, they can wreak incredible havoc on society. All of the important hazards are described, from Small Pox and Anthrax to Botulism, the Plague, and Yellow Fever. Their histories are discussed in detail, as well as ways, if any, to protect against them. All of the CDC Class A biohazards, as well as others, are fully described, such as Lassa Fever, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Tularemia, and Bunyaviridae. The history of these viruses and their destruction of human societies is discussed. The book also documents the history, particularly in the twentieth century, of the development of germ warfare, the accidents with it, and the attempts and failures to control it.

The book deals in great detail with various controversial and competing theories about the use and abuse of vaccinations against such biohazards as smallpox. The author makes a good case for examining much more closely the risks and overuse of vaccinations in certain cases. The book provides compelling evidence as to the dangers of overvaccination--for instance harmful side effects and the distortion of the body's natural immune system--and calls for a more reasoned and scientific approach to studying the effectiveness of vaccinations in general. It seems as though in some cases, such as polio (where the illness has been wiped out) and Hepatitis B, it is time to really re-think our national policy of coerced vaccinations, especially where the risks of harmful side effects may outweigh questionable benefits. Gary shows the checkered history of the development and growth of massive compulsory vaccinations in America and how it is supported and maintained by powerful business interests in the pharmaceutical industry.

Through a series of interwoven subthemes, involving the life of French scientist and theologian Blaise Pascal and American Revolutionary Benjamin Rush, Gary explores how new paradigms are created and phase shifts occur through history. Gary's thesis is that the medical establishment is on the cusp of such a paradigm shift, as it moves from the established modalities of merely treating disease to promoting proven holistic ways of living healthy and building our immune systems so that disease is never allowed to establish a foothold in the first place. Gary likens this change in American health to the type of fundamental change described by Thomas Kuhn in his seminal philosophical treatise, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". As one of the leading advocates of public health in America, Gary is uniquely poised to assist in ushering in this revolutionary approach to leading more healthy, vital and robust lives.

Finally, Gary provides valuable information about what we can actually do to prepare for a potential bioterrorist attack. Initially, Gary says that we should strengthen our immune systems by detoxifying our bodies, eliminating risk items such as sugar and caffeine, eating healthy, nutritious foods such as organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of pure water, getting adequate exercise every day, and forming other important healthy habits. This is based on Gary's proven philosophy, that a strengthened, hardy immune system is one of the best ways to ward off even the most potentially deadly virus. Other protective measures include certain practices of cleanliness, avoiding contact between your hands and mouth, and certain special formulations of vitamins, herbs, and supplements that can be helpful in building the body's natural immunity in the event of an attack. Specific formulas of natural herbal and supplemental remedies to respond to and repel attacks of viruses, such as anthrax, are also provided. Gary also discusses traditional "Western Medicine" responses to viral attacks and their various efficacies. Armed with the tremendous knowledge provided by Gary in this very important book, one feels well equipped to respond in the best possible way to a bioterrorist attack. This is an excellent book, and it is must reading for anyone living in America at these potentially perilous times.

David
New York, New York

Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations: What You Need To Know by health and fitness expert Gary Null (with the assistance of James Feast, editor of the "Journal of the History of Philosophy") offers the basic and readily accessible information about drug-resistant germs, biological warfare, natural ways to boost one's own immune system, and much, much more. A very practical and informative health guide, as well as a useful primer for protecting oneself against biological pathogens, Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations is a timely, authoritative, and invaluable informational resource for non-specialist general readers in these troubled and troubling times.

I'm not sure if I agree with the author's spin on vaccines and the link with autism, but most of the information contained in this slim volume is true & accurate information.
On page 62, he discusses Brucellosis; the illness that plaqued Florence Nightingale upon her return from the Crimean War, which quite possibly was responsible for keeping her bedridden for the rest of her life. E-yup, Brucellosis is an oldie, and so are smallpox, TB, plaque and Anthrax, which he discusses in a somewhat boring fashion.
He goes on to explain such entities as Ribavirin, Antivirals and more yet about vaccines. (Which are our only hope - if ya want to know the truth about prevention of catastrophic diseases. Vaccines are GOOD -- not bad!)
Towards the back of the book, Null & Fest delve into natural methods on how YOU can prevent contracting these loathsome illnesses through...
proper diet
detoxification
destressing your life
Hebs and so on and so on......He even tells you how to take a proper bath! (see pages 208-10.)
The treat of all treats is on page 206 -- this is worth the price of the book...
The Liver and Gallbladder FLUSH!
You mix up the list of organic acids and bolt the concoction down first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Talk about explosive!!!! Oooh-la-la! My bowels will never be the same, and be sure nobody's in the house when you do this!
Finally, this book reminds all readers to take massages whenever possible, and to take life one day at a time.
I wish those brilliant authors would have emphasized to NOT WORRY, BE HAPPY, because one should not obsess over this icky subject matter. When your number's up, it's up, and then you move onto another relm where somebody slaps a new job on ya. It's a tough world our there, growing harder every day, but it is still a beautiful world -- there is still much joy awaiting all of us. In order to recieve the goodness of this Earth, we must first be willing to be giving...and we should do all we can to preserve our beautiful universe. PEACE out!

It's nice to see that Arthur is back once again, setting things straight, saving his world. This is always a good story and Joan Upton Hall is an excellent writer with a vivid imagination who pulls it off with aplomb! Thank heaven for reincarnation!!

This is a must read book, as will be the next and the next. Don't miss any of them.

This fantasy-adventure novel should give best selling authors like Stephen King heavy competition. Fantastically interwoven with elements of King Arthur's realm, including a little Arthurian romance, Arturo el Rey will keep the reader captivated.

The main character, Art Reyes, escapes gang life and joins the Marines - but when terrorists release the devastating plague, there was no government left to for him to serve. Survival of mankind is tentative at best, due to the drugged-up gangs of angry, distraught people attacking defenseless plague survivors. Brutality and recklessness have reduced the number of women, preserved food is dwindling, fuel is sparse while life-saving and pain-killing drugs are being consumed by stressed out survivors at an alarming rate.

One safe haven is created by a ruthless man who rules with an iron fist. In the meantime, Art struggles to find meaning in the haunting dreams that leave him with a feeling he has a purpose to fulfill. As he strives to find some balance between surviving the elements and violence and retaining freedom, Art accidentally discovers himself. Thrown into the position of leader and possibly the savior of civilization, Art battles rivalries and evil men.

I can quite safely say this is one of the better books that I have ever read. Joan Hall kept me captivated from page one and on. I felt torn when I had to set the book down and deal with life! An excellent read that I heartily recommend to anyone who enjoys the adventure and fantasy genre.

(...)

Not only is this the BEST book I have read this year, but it is a book I will read again and again! This book is actually several books rolled into one! You have your horror story, you have your thriller, you have your fantasy and most importantly you have your love story.

Arturo El Rey is the story of Arturo Reyes, a marine. Who up until now, the biggest problem he has had is a childhood bully named Eddie Reeves. However, in the not so distant future of 2010 our world has been nuked, and terrorists have released a plague that has wiped out an enormous chunk of the population. We first meet Arturo and his ragtag band of misfits trying to defend a hospital, and still marines in 2011. In another part of the area we meet Shanna Cranston and her father Richard, who holds a Phd. in agriculture. He starts his own group to lead them to a station he had started years ago as an agricultural experiment. Flash forward a few years and San Antonio is now a jungle, but Arturo and his band of buddies is still together and trying to make a better life for themselves, but Arturo is having nightmares that include visions of King Arthur and of his death.

Arturo and his band stay in Texas and soon cross paths with his childhood enemy,Eddie Reeves, who believes his ruined life is all the fault of Arturo, and will stop at nothing to not only take the woman that Arturo now has, Gloria, but ruin Arturo's life in the process. What ensues is a guy that just won't give up, or die for that matter.

Arturo decides to head for the compound and soon meets and falls in love with young Shannon, after saving her from one of his followers. After having been there awhile, Arturo leaves and decides to start his own colony, with the help of an old teacher, Nilson, from his neighborhood, who has been surviving in a library. However, the visions still haunt him, and when he is nearly killed by Eddie Reeves, the visions return and show him that he may well be the true reincarnated King Arthur, and Nilson, his Merlin. When he survives he believes he can feel Excalibur in his hand. People begin to call him Arturo El Rey, Arthur the King, and laws are set in place and New Camelot sees life taking a turn for the better. But somewhere out there an old enemy, despite having lost an ear and a hand, is seething and waiting til the day he can take it all away from him. Is he King Arthur? Is the lovely Shanna his Lady Quinevere? Is history destined to repeat itself? BUY THIS BOOK, you will be glad you did! It will definately be one of your favorites for years to come.

Arturo el Rey is a superbly conceived tale in which a futuristic plot of biochemical warfare kicks into reverse, colliding with the Arthurian Age. Penned by Joan Upton Hall, the story begins in Texas in 2011. The opening pages crackle with tension, as readers are ushered into a world where a deadly virus has reduced what is left of mankind to killing each other to survive.

While violent gangs struggle for control, Arturo Reyes and his band of outcasts try to defend and unite the innocent. Art's inner struggles include haunting visions of his death as well as a puzzling sense he has a purpose--and perhaps some connection to King Arthur.

Joan Hall has a masterful grip on the ins and outs of her complex plot and whips the action along at a brisk pace. This is what keeps you turning the pages of Arturo el Rey faster and faster--it is such a great story. But Joan Upton Hall is also a wonderful student of human nature and her characters are compellingly drawn.

The flipping of a genre is a fantastic way to create something fresh and interesting in a book or movie. Arturo el Rey features classic elements of the horror, thriller, fantasy and romance genres--giving the author the chance to raise the level of drama in a myriad of different ways. Tense and gripping, Arturo el Rey is an extraordinary tale that keeps both the brain and pulse racing.

In San Antonio, Texas in 2011, Marine Cpl. Art Reys witnesses the end of any organized government or help from anywhere as a deadly virus pluges Earth into global chaos.
People hide from armed bands, scavenging to survive and finding shelter wherever they can. Armed gangs kill to get food, weapons, and gas for their motorcycles.
Art and his friends protect the helpless wherever they can and make enemies as well as friends as others join them for protection.
Art's heart aches and he has puzzling deja vu flashs of his past life as King Arthur.
As mankind hides like animals or becomes slaves to survive, Shanna Cranston and her father make their way to a compound protected by a high rock face to settle.
When Art and his friends find a group of people hiding in an abandoned library near New Braumfels, Art is reunited with John Nilson, his seventh grade teacher ad mentor. Nilson was Merlin in a past life and it becomes obvious as they work to help others, that Art is King Arthur brought back to restore order.
Art meets Shana on a visit to Cranston's Compound and they fall in love, but Art leaves to continue his quest for security on his own as many are flockilng to him for protection. As Art's influence and reputation quickly spreads, he is declared 'King of Texas' and he is able to offer a secure place to Shanna.
Can Art continue building his safe and democratic kindgdon? Can he hold fast to his code of ethics? Can he win Shanna Cranston to be his Queen?
Joan Upton Hall's well drawn characters and realistic scenes give us page turnng entetainment; Arturo el Rey and Shanna give us hope for peace as they capture our hearts.

What a great read! I enjoyed every page and every tidbit of information that this book has. As an EMT I found it to be quite helpful in dealing with and recognising some of the signs and symptoms of the lesser-encountered diseases and learning about some of the bugs that come from other parts of the globe. It was a fascinating subject and a well-written, clear and concise read.

From Anthrax to the West Nile Virus and all forms of common and uncommon diseases in between, Perlin and Cohen present this must have information in an easy to follow format. They deal clearly with such topics as current and horrifying as bioterrorism as well as the more common yet equally deadly hazards of under cooked chicken and beef. This book is an excellent source of practical information for families and belongs next to the aspirin and other medical supplies.

It is most appreciated what the authors did in putting such complex information in a format that is understandable for the average person. I think there is a great need for such a work. I wish the authors great success with this book and the ones to follow.

A great reference book --- concise and easily readable. It illuminates the diseases we most fear today and brings their backgrounds and transmission down to the layman's level. I especially like the anecdotes Dr. Perlin has inserted in individual chapters to help us better understand disease causes, transmission and effects. A must for the household library!

This book was extremely helpful in explaining the various diseases and infections we are all hearing so much about today. We are all frightened by this topic and Dr. Perlin's book covered these topics in a very clear and concise manner that anyone could understand. Knowledge is power and this book will help everyone who reads it to better understand the risks that lie ahead.

I needed this book for a class I am taking, however, I would have read this book just for pleasure, I finished it before the class even started

In a very good way, I got more than I bargained for by reading this book. While seeking a solid source to inform myself on the "nuts and bolts", policy implications, and development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), I continued to come across this title. Expect some dense and intense reading; there is not a wasted word here. The book focuses exclusively on the covert delivery of a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon against an American target, exploring possible methods, limitations, locales, preventive measures, and consequences. This book will considerably broaden the knowledge of any first-timer looking into WMD and likely provides substantive material for discussion among policy makers and experts in the field.

This is a comprehensive analysis of the threat without being alarmist.

It is far too easy to find shocking explanations of the biological weapons potential that do not describe some of the difficulties in their procurement and delivery. This "sexy" approach captures our attention and makes for good entertainment, but the `Chicken Little' approach doesn't help us develop rational methods for dealing with the issue.

Read this book if you want a levelheaded examination. It also contains a good description and solid recommendations for a national strategy.

I picked up this book as a research tool for a paper. Not only did I find the book to contain everything I needed, I became so enveloped in the reality of what I was reading that I couldn't put it down. A fan of Tom Clancy novels, this book describes the harsh reality that we live in, while detailing both the strengths and the weaknesses of the US response to bioterrorism. A must read for those with an interest in national security issues.

Sure there is concern. Why not? At my house, we like online shopping. A great deal of mail comes in and out of this house. I have relatives and friends who are USPS employees. There is a lot to be concerned about.

But panic? Nope.

I am one of the lucky ones. A friend gave me an advance copy of 'Anthrax: A Practical Guide' and my questions are answered. I don't have the patience for the political agendas I hear on television, or the panic-mongers drumming up viewership, or the multi-syllabic scientific medical explanations that I can't understand -- I want facts, spelled out in simple and straightforward language. I want to understand what is happening, why, and what I can do about it. This little book does this for my household.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a handbook about anthrax for their family, or office. When/if something happens, people don't always think fast -- or clearly. A book like this, simple and direct, is an ideal addition to our health care book shelves.

The best cure for panic is knowledge.

This book is a must read...no scare tactics, rumors, or hysteria..just the facts.. I found the section on helping children deal with catastrophes most enlightening... This is an
excellent compilation, loaded with current information, written just this month, and practical, sound advice...if you buy one book on this important subject, this should be the one...

This book is very thorough and amazingly up to date--it includes official documents that were not even released until October 18! I am using it for an ongoing research and writing project. Also, the resources cited -- websites and books -- were also just what I needed. Many thanks.

Since anthrax has become a major preoccupation not only for the media but for millions of Americans, it is important to have an accessible, readable handbook that tells people what to look for, what to expect, and what to do. This book accomplishes that in a very straightforward way. As a nurse I will be recommending it to people in the regular course of my duties.

As an Emergency Preparedness Planner, I found this book to be valuable. Ryan and Glarum cover not just human diseases, but all potential biological threats and means to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and manage the consequences.

Well organized, with content understandable to both the non-medical and medically backgrounded EM professional. Information in previous chapters make the more complex concepts found in later chapters comprehensible. There is a helpful balance of illustrations and sidebars that reinforce the content. The list of references with each chapter will give you deeper background into the subject matter. By considering the critical thinking and discussion questions, key concepts are reinforced.

If you have a need for this knowledge, I highly recommend this book.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the study of biosecurity and bioterrorism. The book is well written and easy to read. Of the many books on this subject I have read, this one covers more areas of knowledge than any. Ryan and Glarum are true experts in the field of biological agents and this book shares that knowledge with the readers.

I just finished reading this text for a class. It is well written, easy to follow and contains a lot of detail. Bioterrorism is a multi-faceted subject and this text covers each aspect of the subject very well. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in biosecurity.

I was very impressed by this text. It is easy to read (without being simplistic), well illustrated, and it covered most of the area. If you are interested in biosecurty, I suggested that you get this book. I am not easliy pleased but this is a good book.

In our time of increased security risks for buildings , this book provides up to date information and gives real life solutions to our complex bioterrorism problems.This book is a must for any person strapped with the job of trying to develop a plan for protecting public and private buildings from bio-attack. Dr. Kowalski has hit the mark on this timely subject.

Dr. Kowalski opens his book with an introduction to the surprisingly long history of chemical and biological warfare. Thus, he brings the reader to the realization that the recent anthrax bio-attacks in the US (2001) are not a one-time event and that the warnings of future biological and chemical attacks are for real. This literary technique is critical to change people's mindset, in particular to motivate today's architects, engineers, property managers/owners, security and rescue personnel to take the material presented seriously and to heart.

Dr. Kowalski's coverage of chemical/biological agents, risk analysis, and analysis of various detection and protection systems for airborne threats is very timely and relevant. The information is presented in a straightforward manner, providing a blueprint/strategy that can readily be applied to nearly any building. The many references are extremely useful for those interested in pursuing some of the more complicated analysis. The airborne concentration vs. time graphs and databases contained in the Appendices are essential for assessing the requirements of the protection system as well as assessing proper remediation methodology. Dr. Kowalski is on the forefront of these technologies - a must read.

This text is particularly timely and, because of the quality of information presented, extremely useful to any individual who is responsible for protecting buildings and other establishments against bioterroism and the deliberate (or accidental) release of harmful chemical agents into building systems. Because of the nature of this subject, the author has extended his treatment beyond design and architectural considerations and also focuses a great deal of attention on information that is particularly useful to police, fire fighters, military personnel, and other emergency response personnel. Because of the straight-forward presentation, I believe this book would serve well as either an academic (course material) text and a field manual or guide to those concerned with protection against weapons of mass destruction.

The author has also been particularly sensitive about the level of detail provided. His concern that the information may be used inappropriately by those wishing to cause such problems (instead of prevent them) is well intended. He has taken extreme precaution in his delivery and ensures that nothing provided can be used by those with harmful intentions. The information and guidance is for those who wish to guard against terrorism and not a manual for those wishing to practice it. I found the author's treatment of this subject to be particularly responsible and the information presented quite useful. Specifically, the easy-to-follow explanations of chemical and biological weapon agents and typical methods of dispersion, to the use of practical and effective control measures, to the simulated attack scenarios all provide totally useful guidelines to the protection of buildings against bioterrorist attacks.

Immune Building Systems Technology is a comprehensive guide to the design of building systems for protection against bioterrorism and chemical weapons. It provides a detailed database of chemical and biological weapons and presents the most detailed history of their use yet published. The modeling of buildings and ventilation systems is treated in detail and simulated biological attacks on many types of buildings are summarized. The predicted effectiveness of air cleaning technologies is demonstrated by comparison of estimated casualties under various attack scenarios. Various technologies are covered including filtration, UVGI, ozone, pulsed light, and other subjects include mail disinfection systems, decontamination and remediation of buildings, control systems, risk estimation, epidemiology, and the economics of air cleaning. Building vulnerabilities are discussed and Security and Emergency procedures are addressed, as well as guidelines for sizing building protection systems. This book is designed to serve both as a textbook and a reference for critical information. It should serve equally well in the hands of engineers, building managers, security personnel, health care workers, military personnel, and anyone with an interest in enhancing the protection of their homes or offices against bioterrorism.
W.J. Kowalski

Rivers' book is a page turner. The fast paced action keeps the story moving but is also that which makes it the least realistic. The reader is very aware that what he is reading bears as much resemblance to how a full scale bio-terrorism attack would be handled as an Indiana Jones movie bears to actual archeology. Which is not to say that Rivers' primary thesis and the events/responses which are depicted are out of the question. They are not. It is just that the attack, if it was actually mounted, would have been far more devastating because the government response could never rise to the efficiency River's recounts.

The best aspect of the book is the detailed account of how the attack was formulated and executed. The degree of detail given was indeed scary and, since I am not qualified to speak to the technical details of the biological/genetic possibilities, I assume it is feasible. Rivers' descriptions and identification of the various organizations which would be involved in combating such an attempt was also helpful

Where Rivers' needs to grow as an author is in making his characters less stiff and robotic. When Dr. Ron Raines loses his live in girl friend, for whom he presumably had great affection, he accepts it with what seems to be no more than a passing thought - "I should have been with her when she died." That's about it. All of the other characters are sketched at about the same level. All it takes for the bad guy terrorist scientist to suddenly change his mind about the Great Satan Americans is for Dr. Raines to show him a little love. That's a bit of a stretch.

So... five stars for technical background and plot outline, three stars for character development averages out to four.

Good summer beach read. It'll take you 3-4 hours straight through.

Obviously the result of a combination of detailed medical knowledge, personal experience, comprehensive research, & a vivid imagination.

I an not starting this with a synopsis as this has been done by others brighter
and more articulate than I. This novel will keep you up at night thinking
about just how all of this is possible, how port security is spotty at its very
best not to mention our porous borders. This book is a wakeup call for what
can easily happen. You will not sleep well after reading this one.

In the riveting techno-thriller "The Jihad Germ", author T. N. Rivers draws upon his years of his experience as a military flight surgeon and a civilian emergency physician to add realism and plausibility to background details in a fictional story exploring the horrific possibilities of an advanced bioterror weapon developing in the hands of Islamic terrorists and its use against an American city. Bacterial gene replacement in a laboratory hidden by a Middle-Eastern government, combined with the porous nature of American port security result in a devastating attack on American soil. It's up to Dr. Ron Raines and nurse Christie Fellows to save the lives of citizens while FEMA, the CDC, and the U.S. Marine Chemical and Biological Incident Response Force struggle to contain the threat, while national intelligence agencies and the White House try to restore the balance of world power. A chilling, all-too-real account that could well be taken from tomorrow's newspaper headlines, "The Jihad Germ" is a superbly crafted novel and highly recommended reading from beginning to end.

I read Dr. Holmes' "Spores, Plagues and History" after having finished his two novels, "The Medusa Strain" and "Garden of Evil." Coming to "Spores" from two fiction pieces, I expected an informative, but probably academic treatment of the subject. To my surprise, I found the book to be highly readable and captivating. It held my interest more than I had expected.

Dr. Holmes launches us into the subject and makes it relevant to today by looking at the anthrax breakouts in the US after 9/11. From this starting point, he traces the history of anthrax from early Greek times to the present, but takes in much more than just the medical side. He leads us through areas of military history, sociology, biological research and bio-weaponry. Most riveting are the disclosures of activities related to chemical and biological warfare in the 20th century - including activities undertaken by elements of the US government.

I rate this book as riveting as the top-tier offerings of the science-based fiction writers of today. It should appeal most to readers with wide-ranging interests.

Medical epidemiologist Chris Holmes, M.D. presents Spores, Plagues, And History: The Story Of Anthrax, a straightforward accounting of this devastating disease and its effects on humanity throughout history. From "woolsorter's disease" during the Industrial Revolution, to modern-day biological weapons, and so much more, Holmes' extensively researched sources aptly traces a path in clear, no-nonsense terms that students of both World History and Medical History will greatly appreciate. A work of impeccable scholarship, Spores, Plagues, And History is very strongly recommended for academic library reference collections.

This great book about the history of anthrax covers a lot of ground in relatively few pages. The more I learn about the author, the more I realize this man knows what he is talking about. I feel calmer about anthrax after reading this book.

The author is a native of Canada, Chris Holmes, and he received his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and served in the Air Force during Vietnam. After stints in private practice and academia, he became a Navy physician and has studied extensively nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. He led the medical team aboard the USS Tripoli during the 1992 U.S. intervention in Somalia.

Captain Holmes, MC, USN (Ret.) has been studying the history of medicine for over 35 years. He is the author of two books dealing with Anthrax. He is a physician, epidemiologist, an authority on disease and bio-warfare past and present, and is arguably the world's leading authority on the history of anthrax. Dr. Holmes has taught at medical schools, has published many scholarly articles, and is certified in submarine and diving medicine with the U.S. Navy, just to survey some of his extraordinary experience.

His Op-Ed's have appeared in newspapers from San Diego to Tennessee, and he has been interviewed on radio talk-shows from San Francisco to Boston. Dr. Holmes has also appeared on Fox News with Mr. John Gibson, being interviewed about monkeypox and infectious diseases and on XETV in San Diego, being interviewed on Fox in the Morning about anthrax and bioterrorism.

ANTHRAX! SMALLPOX! PLAGUE! Until recently, most Americans were unfamiliar with these terms or assumed they were a part of history. The October, 2001 anthrax cases catapulted this condition into the headlines and the minds of many. What are the agents and the illnesses they cause? How worried should we be and what can we do to protect ourselves? With new infectious diseases emerging and old ones resurfacing, the challenge of early detection, containment and prevention is urgent.

Dr. Chris Holmes has written a provocative, engrossing book that offers the general reader the answers to these questions. 'Spores, Plagues and History' follows the trail of anthrax from prebiblical times to the present. The reader gains an appreciation for the challenge early investigators faced in responding to clusters of illness when the cause was not known. 'Spores, Plagues and History' also provides a highly readable, authoritative perspective of the role other infectious agents have played in world history.

Michele Ginsberg, Chief of Community Epidemiology
HHSA, San Diego County, California

This book is excelent from a woman point of view specially women from developing countries. It is very exiting and advanturers. Maybe love will concure after all.

I found this book very well researched and informative from both technical and cultural stand point of view. The places that the characters have been are just remarkable. Also the explanations of different traditions of different cultures were refreshing.

I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN. WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER BEING A WELL EDUCATED MUSLIM WOMAN IT PROVIDES A VERY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF THE MUSLIM CULTURE THAT WE DO NOT NORMALLY HEAR ABOUT.