Virus X: Tracking the New Killer Plagues

This author gives a lot of information about how doctors with NOTHING, battling plagues in the wilds of Africa, are forced to improvise equipment. He discusses what to look for in different diseases in Autopsies, safeguards, etc... He talks about docs performing autopsies outside on the ground, in the dirt, in the rain. He discusses little known facts about projects USAMRIID has been working on (Counters to weaponized Ebola... Read Full Review

British science journalist and physician Frank Ryan covers a lot of ground in this extensively researched and engagingly written trek into the world of emerging viruses. These viruses, indigenous to disturbed areas of the world, particularly in the tropics, are now being sprung loose to threaten humankind.The first third of the book covers the story of the "Four Corners" hantavirus that jumped from deer mice to humans with... Read Full Review

For those of us who are nervous about the current anthrax outbreak, "Virus X" will not make very soothing bedtime reading. Dr. Ryan describes emerging plagues such as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, AIDS, and Junin fever in grim, gory, pathological detail. If that were not enough to keep his readers sleepless, the author spends the last few chapters theorizing on why new and perhaps deadlier plagues may soon emerge. In the final... Read Full Review

This was a great book to arouse my curiousity in a new field for me. Dr. Ryan outlines some of the contemporary viruses that are making headlines, such as, Ebola, Hunta, and AIDS. The lethality of these viruses and others will intrigue and frighten you. However, Ryan will also bring viruses into a more down to earth light and explain why we need them as part of the circle of life. Its a detective, medical, and futuristic... Read Full Review

Recently, several new books have been written on the subject of emerging viruses. They all ask questions about where these viruses are coming from, why they are infecting humans so rapidly, and what we can do to better control or prevent these outbreaks. Several interesting theories have been presented, however Ryan proposes an entirely different perspective of aggressive symbiosis. His theory is extremely sensible as well... Read Full Review