Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: Good read, GREAT research. This is book covered alot of science and history in a concise and enjoyable fashion.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent book, but there are better out there.
Review: If you have never read any books on biowarfare you might be satisfied with this book. However, those who have had a long interest in the topic will be disappointed. Miller's book covers much of the same ground that has already been covered in better books such as Tom Mangold's Germ Wars, Ken Alibek's Biohazard, Leonard Cole's the Eleventh Plague and Falkanrath's America's Achilles Heel. All of these books were far more informative. The only contribution Miller and company makes comes in the last 30 pages, which provides a good summary of the West Nile outbreak in NYC (although an article by Richard Preston in the New Yorker was far better) and details previously unreported research by the US government into biowarfare defenses. A quick look at this book's endnotes tells the story, much of the material had been cribbed from the aforementioned books. Miller and friends lucked out (if you can call it that) with the timing of recent events, thereby sparking an interest in this book. I for one would recommend Mangold's book, far better research and better writing. Nonetheless this book does provide some interesting new details; my advice is to go to the Library or wait for the paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: Germs: Another double-edged sword.
Review: This book takes the reader up to the events preceeding 9-11 and the recent Anthrax attacks. Emphasis is on the politics of biological weaponry. In the 1960s, the opinion that prevailed was that these agents were not practical or dependable for employing in combat, and Nixon signed the treaty banning their development as a peace gesture. By the mid-1990's it was clear that the Soviets and other signatories had lied and cheated. The degree of Soviet weaponization during this period, using Anthrax and other pathogens, is shocking. Today we have had our second instance of an attack involving biological agents. Neither event killed massive numbers of people, but few question the possibility of massive casualties from biological warfare agents,particularly those souped up by the very latest DNA recombinant technics. This technology has introduced new and challenging dilemmas in defense. It is possible to insert DNA which allows a pathogen to circumvent vaccine-induced immunity, or to be resistant to most antimicrobials, or to have enhanced virulence. This is another two-edged sword of science. The same technology that provides us with vaccines and treatments is involved in mass destruction. This is another one of those essential reads on an essentially depressing topic.
Rating:
Summary: Horrifying. The dawn of a new world politic
Review: This is a well researched, VERY readable account of the history of biological warfare and the new germ weaponry that allows any group or individual to wage war against entire nations. Get ready for what will be either the apocalypse or a new world outlook that makes the old liberal concerns with and belief in absolute civil liberties, humanism, and the basic goodness of human nature seem like an irrelevant fossil from a previous age when people killed each other with muskets and bows and arrows. Those who want to survive will have to rapidly adjust their ethics and philosophies to the new circumstances where anyone with a few seeds from deadly biological agents can turn the West into a vast graveyard and Western culture and civilation into an almost forgotten historical curiousity. Forget global brotherhood and humanism. It is now "us against them". Anyone who disagrees will find little to support their views in the events that are now possible and probable.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading
Review: This is an astounding book! This is not some quicky response to the recent anthrax scare. This is thoroughly researched, well written and comprehensive in scope. This covers previous biological and chemical attacks, Russsian and US efforts to develop and then to control these weapons, problems with vaccinations, government bureaucratic dithering, and the potential problems that must be understood and dealt with NOW.This is a very readable book. I found it to be gripping and thought provoking start to finish. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The situation and threat: MUCH worse than your nightmares
Review: This book has been hyped to death (no pun intended) and rightfully so: it was written BEFORE the terrorist attacks and Anthrax cases and is guarenteed to chill your spine -- and maybe haunt your dreams. The bottom line: for years (until 9/11) most Americans had no idea that behind the scenes horrific weapons were being developed that could potentially wipe out an entire country and that if these weapons did not work as expected the whole even world could be at risk. And, worse, that as unpredictable as nations might be, terrorists are far more unpredictable -- and these weapons could easily fall into their hands or be made by them. Ironically, the original run of this book was reportedly modest, but in the aftermath of Sept. 11 it shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list -- and again for GOOD REASON: it is the most "accessible" of the germ warefare books. Germs is a masterful work: full of blow-by-blow detail on the various "germs" (biological, chemical) and the lies and deceit practiced by ALL countries that worked on these unspeakable weapons(lies and deceit aimed at other countries and their own populaces). It's a book that you MUST read, or gift or lend. REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: 1)It shows how various countries including the US secretly worked on biological/chemical warefare weapons for defense purposes through the years. To it's credit, the US got mostly out of the germ warefare biz...but Sadaam's preoccupation with weapons of mass destruction forced the US back in. 2)It shows how the Soviet Union misled the US just as badly as Iraq's dictator did. 3)It goes into stark detail on how deadly these weapons are and how easy it would be for terrorists to develop and use them..and get their desired deadly results. 4)At times it resembles a kind of scientific MYSTERY or THRILLER: it's a whosedoing it with an easy-to-read narrative style. 5)It outlines how researchers discovered precisely who is working on what and what it means -- and does it with a journalistic approach: quotes, facts, but a story with a beginning a middle and an all too possbily frightening end. 6)It is in itself a STRONG argument for eventual military action against Iraq: Sadaam remains the lingering threat, according to the authors. 7)It sets off the alarm -- but leaves room for hope. WHY YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS BOOK: 1)If you're looking for a research document this won't be for you since it is a journalistic work. 2)If you're looking for a pure recitation of each kind of threat and what it means that is probably another book; the info is there but it is woven into the overall theme. 3)If you're looking for a book that says we are just a minute away from buying the farm, this isn't for you -- but you will get a sinking feeling at the horrorific threats out there. Above all: this book was NOT written to capitalize on the present climate...it was written BEFORE the recent tragic events, which makes its well-delivered message even more compelling and credible.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read - Highly Recommend
Review: This is a MUST READ for any one that lives in one of the ten largest cities in the USA. Any one of these cities are key targets for a bio-terrorist attack. "Germs" is a solid SHOULD READ for those that are concerned and skeptical about the U.S. Government's ability to protect it's citizens. This should be even more evident after the anthrax attacks on America. And a "YOU'VE GOTTA READ THIS" for everyone else. What is so amazing about this book is, by the time you are a third through it you are amazed that we are not all dead. As the book clearly points out, IT IS NOT because of the competence of our FBI, CIA, CDC or other government agencies. The authors clearly point out how time after time our government intelligence and health agencies rise to each occasion and fly the flag of ineptitude; and now we sadly realize this (sic. September 11th ). "Germs" convincingly underscores the fact that our government cannot protect us from the impending disaster that will, according to top authorities, come to America in cataclysmic proportion. The best our government can do is respond to the attack and attempt to save as many lives as possible. The authors begin and end the book illustrating that biological weapons are, in contrast to other weapons of mass destruction, comparatively easy to produce. Nuclear weapons are expensive, extremely difficult to build and relatively easy to detect. Biological weapons are none of the above. Germs should convince you that the next war will be fought in the heartland of America and will be carried out by either rogue states, terrorist groups or lone actors. "Individuals can make war with these new weapons", Joshua Lederberg, biologist and Nobel Laureate, warned President Clinton in 1998. After which Clinton told the New York Times that neither nuclear nor chemical weapons are as frightening as what he has learned about germ warfare. Miller, Engelberg and Broad have done a great service by giving all Americans a wake-up call. An alarm that goes beyond the cold war nuclear scare of the 60's because there are no germ shelters that can be built and used effectively. When the biological attack begins you will not know it, it will only be days after the attack that symptoms occur, then donning of a bio-suit is too late. To say this is a disturbing book is an understatement. The report that Russia has developed lethal, futuristic germs, including a super-anthrax; "germs meant to seize control of the human metabolism, causing a body to self-destruct," is more than unnerving. Today, in our world, biotechnology is coupling with virology and in the words of the authors new kinds of "designer pathogens that can defeat drugs, antidotes and vaccines" are being produced. The final sentence in the book is worth repeating. "We remain woefully unprepared for a calamity that would be unlike any this country has ever experienced." Apocalyptic. Highly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: Important book, but frightening
Review: There is no good news in this book, so if you want to read something encouraging on what is naturally a terrifyingly grim topic, skip this book. That being said, I thought this was an excellent book and absolutely something that I would recommend anyone to read if you can handle the subject matter. The book is written in a very matter-of-fact manner, and not an alarmist way. It gave an excellent background overview and insight into the complexities involved with tracking down and doing anything to prevent biological attacks. Again, it is not reassuring to know facts such as: a) Even if a strain of anthrax could be identified and a vaccine existed, it would not be possible to grow cultures quickly enough to create vaccines for everyone. b) Botulism is more of a concern than anthrax, as is smallpox. c) The actual testing and research that Russia and Iraq did on biological weapons was far, far worse than what we'd imagined. However, it can be argued that it is important to know the real facts behind "Germs" in these days where there is so much media attention being placed on the topic. This book helps us recognize the facts.
Rating:
Summary: A Timely, Sobering Read
Review: Certainly, this book addresses an important and timely topic, but it is not quite the doom and gloom tome I expected. This is not to say that there are not many disturbing facts contained herein, though. While it is quite disturbing to learn about some of the work done by Americans in offensive germ weaponry, it is even more disturbing to learn that we have stubbornly refused to commit ourselves to address the vulnerabilities in our defenses, vulnerabilities that were brought so vividly to light during the Persian Gulf War. Many of the problems we are facing today, in the wake of the 9/11 attack, are the same problems we faced ten years ago as we prepared to take on Iraq: the question of anthrax vaccinations, means for detecting biochemical agents in the environment, the stockpiling of vaccines for smallpox and related diseases. These problems should have been resolved or at least addressed more forcibly years ago. The problems that the one anthrax vaccine producer in Michigan is now facing in terms of meeting FDA requirements are the very same problems it faced ten years ago. Our government conducted some rather heinous acts in terms of developing the weapons we fear so much today, yet our response to the nation's obvious vulnerabilities in this regard has been half-hearted, scattered, and haphazard. I was surprised to learn just how advanced the Soviets were in their germ warfare program (though I am not surprised that they wasted no time violating the 1972 treaty they signed and continued their secret, criminal work for almost three decades). We are still years behind the Russians in terms of our understanding of germ weapons (both offensive and defensive measures), to the point that we are practically dragging our tongues over the chance to visit former Soviet labs to pick up clues to what our former enemies already know. Other countries, Iraq in particular, are certainly working overtime trying to recruit former Soviet scientists and working to produce all manner of weapons with the intention of either blackmailing or destroying Western civilization. Now, finally, I hope we have seen the light and are determined to put aside silly political wrangling in order to protect the American population from possible extinction at the hands of madmen. I was surprised and pleased to learn that Bill Clinton did give some serious attention to the BW problem in his final years in office and actually did attempt to strengthen the nation's defenses against germ warfare. Unfortunately, as with most things, his focus, while committed, was also sporadic; Clinton surely meant well, but he approached the problem in a series of fits and starts, often distracted by embarrassing problems of his own creation. If the incentive does not now exist in the hearts and minds of the American people and the country's leaders to really address this huge problem, then surely it will never exist, and we will remain woefully vulnerable to attack from a myriad of madmen. Biological and chemical weapons become easier and cheaper to produce every single day, and this threat will not go away. Recombinant DNA technology already allows for the combination of two or more deadly diseases into one superbug, the type of killer that tortures and kills in more than one stage, becoming incredibly difficult to identify, let alone trace, while it is killing men, women, and children in untold numbers. Every concerned citizen should read this book, for we can only face the coming threats with open eyes, knowledge, and steadfast determination.
Rating:
Summary: A Deadly Knowledge-Based Threat!
Review: After anthrax-laced letters began showing up in the offices of prominent news people and political figures in the United States (in 2001), I wondered what else could happen. Germs tells the story of the full threat from bioweapons, produced and delivered from major countries . . . rogue nations . . . and terrorist cells. The threat is greater than most of us have been led to believe exists. Although bioweapons have been banned by treaty since 1975, several countries have been busy as bees working covertly on this area. The former Soviet Union seems to have been in the lead, producing huge volumes of new microbes whose infectious efficacy was improved by bioengineering, processing to make the germs easier to disseminate, and experiments to create delivery systems of great efficiency. The book also details efforts by the United States, Iraq, and South Africa over these years. A major potential problem has been that there are a lot of unemployed scientists in this field from the former Soviet Union who are being recruited to start new bioweapons programs for other countries. Iran has been trying to do this. The book also describes attempts by terrorist groups to get involved. The infamous Osama bin Laden is described in the book as one terrorist leader who has been training his followers in chemical and bioweapons. After having fallen asleep in this area since the treaty was put in place, the United States began to scramble to catch-up in the 1990s, and left itself just about as vulnerable as when the decade started despite spending serious money. Identified weaknesses in the book included a poor ability to diagnose diseases caused by bioweapons, limited vaccines and medicines to counteract the diseases, a weak structure for coordinating the response, and limited tools to fight a contagious bioweapon (which conventional anthrax is not). On the other hand, bioweapons are attractive for terrorists. It doesn't take much money to build them. Off the shelf equipment can be used. They are easy to transport. Few people are needed to deliver them and start a contagion. All that is needed is the knowledge of what needs to be done. The book describes the efforts by terrorists in the past to use bioweapons. The most significant domestic event occurred in 1984 when followers of the Bhagwan Shree in Oregon deliberately spread salmonella in restaurant salad bars as part of an attempt to gain political control. In some ways the most chilling part of the book is the evaluation of how close Coalition Forces came to facing bioweapons in the Gulf War. Iraq had the bioweapons and the delivery systems to have created a major loss of life. Nuclear saber-rattling seemed to have been effective in deterring Saddam Hussein not to use his bioweapons. There may have been deals through back channels that we don't know about. Perhaps the decision not to oust him from power was part of some bioweapon blackmail. Who knows? It is well worth considering the implications of the fact that Iraq was willing to forego many billions of dollars in oil revenue since the Gulf War in order to protect its ability to develop and produce bioweapons. The book ends with many suggestions for how to limit our exposure to the full threat of bioweapons. If you add to these observations the experiences we have been having with anthrax-laced letters, you will see that an ounce of prevention is worth vastly more than a pound of cure after the fact. However, even the prevention is very expensive. But I don't think we can afford the alternative. After you read this book, I'm sure you will agree with me. I graded the book down one star for being overly bulky in telling its story, and mischaracterizing some details with which I am familiar. Will we use advanced science to unleash horrible epidemics on each other? What internal and external forces will be sufficient to avoid such a catastrophe? Use science to serve humanity . . . and to become more humane!
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