Fever!: The Hunt for a New Killer Virus,

I read this book in 1975, after graduating from college. It was riveting. When I finished it, I decided I wanted to study viruses. The next year I entered graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in viruses, and the rest is history. Highly recommended account of virology before the catchphrase 'emerging infection' was coined, before BSL4 facilities and physicians worrying about themselves. For a personal account of the history written in 'Fever!', see the podcast 'This Week in Virology'.

This book is Still (2005) a great book. Read it if you want to learn about some really true / frightening ways virus can become lethal to people.

I first read this as a grade-schooler, as the condensed version in Reader's Digest, and later found the full edition at a book fair. It is one of the most fascinating, and frightening, books I have ever read. Paul Ehrlich's "The Population Bomb" postulated a worldwide pandemic of this disease which killed off 1/4 of the earth's population a la "The Stand", but it would not happen this way; the virus mutates and weakens too readily. Some other updates on key players in this book: Rose and Lily "Penny" Pinneo are retired and live together in Sebring, Florida. Dr. John Hamer and his wife, Elsie, live in Fort Wayne, Indiana and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dr. Wilbur Downs died a few years ago. The author, John Fuller, died in 1991. I was unable to find Dr. Sonja Buckley online. (Edit, 3/2/06: Dr. Buckley died in 2005.) Jos, Nigeria is in the throes of civil war. Nigeria has not been affected by AIDS as profoundly as other African countries, but it is a significant problem. The book is a relatively quick and easy read. Although it is out of print, it is not hard to find.

This is one of the most exciting, dramatic, inspiring, and disturbing books I've ever read. My husband found me a used copy, which I treasure. Much is written about how viruses mutate and are coming to get us; this book is quite simply the great morality play on the subject. That it's out of print?--somebody in publishing is really asleep on this one.

This is a great book. It chronicles the discovery of Lassa Fever from Africa to the US. I cannot believe that this book is unheard of, whereas The Hot Zone is a best seller. If this book had been released today (OK, 2 years ago) it would have beaten out THZ on the charts. Instead, it is unavailable, and a much better written, more exciting story goes unread. I have lent this book to scientists and laypeople, and everyone who has read this book has raved about it. Do yourself a favor, and check your local library.