About this title: Preston examines the horrific effect ebola has on the human body. A true story, HOT ZONE recounts the scare when in the late 80s, this virus with a 90 percent fatality rate was accidentally released in a research facility in suburban Washington, D.C.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 1994
ISBN-13:9780679430940ISBN:0679430946
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Very Good, In very good dust jacket. damaged book cover. 300 p. Previous Owner's Inscription. read more
"I absolutely loved this book. It was probably the best book that I have read all year!!! It has a spectacular story line and is scientifically interesting in a compelling true story about an extremely infectious disease outbreak from 1967 to 1993. This would be a wonderful book to use in a high-school biology class especially during a unit that involves discussion of viruses. This is such a powerful book that describes in great detail the introduction of Ebola and the different strains that evolved over the years during this outbreak. There is some bad language used throughout the book but probably not anymore than what these high school aged students use in their everyday language. Overall, this book would be my first choice to integrate into my curriculum. I would even consider directing my curriculum around this book because it does a wonderful job of incorporating very scientific language, but it also explains everything in great detail to help someone who isn't familiar with the jargon to understand what is going on. Students would get knowledge from our discussion but this book would reinforce what we have discussion to aid in their overall understanding."
"Gory Gory Gory!!! This book is about the Ebola virus that broke out in the United States and the history of Ebola and similar viruses. It fascinates me how they think the Ebola virus started, in a cave in Africa. They also have theories about where AIDS started. All of these deadly viruses came from Africa and it is so interesting reading about their effects on the body--truly disgusting! Ebola makes the organs turn to liquid mush if not treated in time and is also airbourne! People literally bleed out.
For example, "The only sound is a choking in his throat as he continues to vomit blood and black matter while unconscious. Then comes a sound like a bedsheet being torn in half, which is the sound of his bowels opening and venting blood from the anus. The blood is mixed with intestinal lining. He has sloughed his gut. The linings of his intestines have come off and are being expelled along with huge amounts of blood. Monet has crashed and is bleeding out."
If you like science, gore, and medicine you will love this book!"
For three out of four sections in The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story, Richard Preston's maintains an engaging and informative story of the hunt for the dreaded filovirus. This is a category of viruses including Ebola that can be swiftly lethal to primates (like you) and unmerciful in their destructiveness. It doesn't take much effort to evoke horror from this topic, but Preston does a credible job of using that horror to teach a bit about viruses, epidemiology, and biocontainment.
Unfortunately, the fourth section degenerates into journalistic narcissism. Preston pointlessly dons a biohazard suit and enters a contaminated cave in Africa, descending into an irrational, ecotopian diatribe about how viruses are nature's way of cleansing "the human infection." This sentiment is akin to the unmentionable theory that AIDS is The Wanting Seed's way of dealing with sexual perversion."
"Terrifying, addictive, gruesome. Starting this book before you go to bed will most likely give you nightmares- especially since it is a true story. It also made me aware of how quickly a virus can travel, ESPECIALLY if it is airborne. I work in a pharmacy and have never paid attention to how easy it is to get infected by a sick patient as I will after reading this book. It makes you want to wash your hands constantly or carry hand sanitizer wherever you go. The first chapter is ultimately the worst as Richard Preston tells the stories of victims that led to the naming of three strains of the Ebola virus in Africa. Ebola makes the AIDS virus seem like an allergy as it quickly liquefies the organs in your body, leaving you to literally "bleed out." It is insane to think of how quickly this virus could wipe out the human race and how dangerously close the USA was to turning into zombies during the Washington DC Reston outbreak in the late 80's. Reading "The Hot Zone" makes you realize that it is a privilege to live on Earth; we are merely a parasite taking over the immune system of the planet, and it seems that eventually it will find the virus to cure itself of us."
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