Title: The Demon in the Freezer
Author: Richard Preston
“Powerful…Entertaining…Preston is deft with narrative - he knows how to build a scene, adding tension in all the right places”
- Chicago Tribune
“Fascinating forensics and propulsive narrative.”
- Entertainment Weekly
“Extraordinarily vivid…Artful & Informed.”
- The New York Times
I continue to read important smallpox information sent to me on Chief Jeff Chudwin’s e-mail list. (Jeff is the president of the ITOA and writes for numerous law enforcement journals. He is a Professional Warrior Trainer and friend/brother.) Jeff continues to keep me posted on current concerns as well as important web sites and smallpox updates. Thanks Jeff.
With all the concern about smallpox as a WMD, I made it a point recently to enhance my knowledge, increase my intelligence level and educate myself on smallpox. In an effort to do this I researched several areas, and most of the doctoral letters and information available are too dry, boring and difficult to read and understand for an old country boy such as myself. My friend Tom, down at the local book-exchange handed me this book by Richard Preston. It is definitely a page turner.
Written in storybook fashion, it immediately grabs you the reader and takes you back to the time when smallpox was still a major concern and thousands of Doctor’s and other similar minded people across the globe were fighting to destroy, or in their words “eradicate” smallpox, this story takes you thru their early days, the major and key players, alongside them in some of the worst parts of the globe. Cities in Countries where sewage runs down the side of the road. ( Oh that’s half the 3rd world countries )
What’s important is to understand about this book is that it is a true story. It encompasses the amthrax scare, and the steps the FBI and others took to attempt to identify the perps. As we all know to this date no one has been arrested, and this case is still wide open. Considering the more recent ricin scare, I strongly suggest if you are seeking information or a good read in order to improve your knowledge of this area, this is the book for you.
Easy to read, it opens the world of the CDC, USAMRIID, WHO, HMRU and other important organizations as they relate to WMD - The depth and distance they went to identify the smallpox cure and study of anthrax.
Bottomline:
Want to read a good book that is interesting and educational, pick up a copy of Richard Preston’s The Demon in the Freezer, and see for yourself.
