Name: The Hot Zone
ISBN: 9780385495226

Richard Preston

A Terrifying True Story

The Hot Zone

Very important read as far as learning about viral biology and Ebola generally — but a truly horrifying read nonetheless. Deeply upsetting with both human and animal suffering/abuse so be aware.

Bowie 

Mythos

3.1/5 stars

I read this book pre-pandemic for English class. The teacher had warned us not to get too obsessed with the idea of possibly getting infected with the virus. Previously, some classes had some problems in gaining the fear of possibly getting infected. In my case, this wasn't a problem. I had different issues with the book itself. The book does a good job of keeping you interested and, at some points, on the edge of your seat, but the information provided within the book is rather inaccurate at times.

The author is more focused on inflicting fear than educating you on the topic of Ebola. I was introduced to this book in class as a way to get educated on the topic of Ebola, but it failed to do so. I did learn a bit more about what it causes to the body and where it spreads, but I'm sure there are other more informative books. I would recommend this to someone who wants to get more into the genre of medical horror.

Matthew Royal

Dramatized version of what happened in the Ebola Reston event. Interesting to me, because I used to live and work around there. There is some good information in here about the symptoms of these sorts of viruses, but the line between what we know and we don't know isn't well-defined by this book. Mostly, it gives the context of a single event, and highlights the possible ways that the outbreak might have occurred, and how if we hadn't gotten lucky, there could have been a much more widespread infection due to bad containment.

There's a missed opportunity here to discuss health policies by the US military and the CDC -- what would happen if there were an outbreak? What steps could individuals and communities take in this situation? Weirdly, Preston says that humanity has "amplified" beyond its natural population size and that nature's immune system (of viruses) is fighting us off.

The bestselling landmark account of the first emergence of the Ebola virus. Now a mini-series drama starring Julianna Margulies, Topher Grace, Liam Cunningham, James D'Arcy, and Noah Emmerich on National Geographic. A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus. The Hot Zone tells this dramatic story, giving a hair-raising account of the appearance of rare and lethal viruses and their "crashes" into the human race. Shocking, frightening, and impossible to ignore, The Hot Zone proves that truth really is scarier than fiction.

The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus

Jowanza Joseph

I really liked what this book had to offer. It's a gripping tale about the origins of the Ebola virus from Kenya to Washington D.C. It helps the reader consider both the science and the socio-cultural reasons for the spread of Ebola and what it means for humanity. Where the book wasn't as great was in some of the conclusions about ebola causing the end of human society. It's just not really supported by science and the speculation was uninteresting to me. I think anyone would enjoy the read and theres a ton to be learned however.

Kelsey Lynn

The author claims it to be a non fiction (and there is no doubt that the events are in fact non fiction) however as a fiction writer he obviously didn't know how to write non-fiction. This book was torn between two writing styles, one of painfully textbook explanations and then that of overly explained day to day interactions between people that I guarantee were flourished. He would go slowly step by step through a day in the life of one of the people as if he had been there, and I have a hard time believing that when being interviewed these people went into that much depth. Had he picked a writing style this book would have been a far more interesting read. All the facts by themselves are interesting and that why I finished the book, they were hampered by his muddled attempt at writing non-fiction.

Leah Patton

Had to read for science but felt that it was very interesting. Best school book I have ever read.

Savannah Muron

this is hands down the most interesting and suspenseful book that i've read this year. thoroughly enjoyed it. I have so many annotations and marks in this book from things i've just found slightly interesting that its not even funny.

Shawna Gavas

I really enjoyed this one overall. I was a little disappointed/confused by the ending....it felt like Part 4 was randomly added on and served no real purpose to the story.

James Thorburn

Imagine a killer with the infectiousness of the common cold and power of the Black Death. Imagine something so deadly that it wipes out 90% of those it touches. Imagine an organism against which there is no defence. But you don't need to imagine. Such a killer exists: it is a virus and its name is Ebola. The Hot Zone tells what happens when the unthinkable becomes reality: when a deadly virus, from the rain forests of Africa, crosses continents and infects a monkey house ten miles from the White House. Ebola is that reality. It has the power to decimate the world's population. Try not to panic. It will be back. There is nothing you can do...

The Hot Zone A Terrifying True Story

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