This man might be my new favorite author. His storytelling talent is so great that he can make anyone enjoy reading about biology and disease. Two months ago I read his book, The Hot Zone, and it was the scariest piece of nonfiction I have ever read. This book was less frightening in my opinion, partly due to the less graphic descriptions of what the smallpox virus can do to the human body. But, the implications of what could happen if someone somewhere decided to release one of the many strains of smallpox that are kept frozen in tubes and stored in chained containers in secret locations, that induces worry and fear. In addition to exploring the history of smallpox and the possibility of it being used as a biological weapon, we are also treated to a play by play of what happened in the days following September 11, 2001 with the anthrax scare. What happened with anthrax could happen with smallpox, or any airborne killer, only it would most definitely be much more devastating.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of Richard Preston’s novels. I feel like I won’t be making a bad decision in purchasing another one of his books since I have immensely enjoyed two of his works already.
Nonfiction and Nonsense 