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Title: The Demon in the Freezer
ISBN: 0345466632
Author:
Richard Preston
Publicate Date: 2003-08-26
Publish: 2003-08-26
List Price: $7.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.89
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $3.00
Amazon Merchant Price: $7.99
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| Customer Review: |
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1: An Interesting Shadow of the Hot Zone
The Demon in the Freezer is another true story written by Richard Preston that brings mystery, anxiety, and relief to its readers. The book begins in the 1970s with a glimpse at the life of an anthrax victim named Robert Stevens, and then moves to the life of a smallpox victim named Peter Los in Germany during 1969. These two stories are eventually linked together with the explanation of anthrax and smallpox, the histories of each, and the threat of bioterrorism.
The Hot Zone and The Demon in the Freezer are very similar in format partly due to the fact that Richard Preston wrote both. This similarity detracts from the story line of The Demon in the Freezer if The Hot Zone has been read previously. It detracts from the excitement and mystery of The Demon in the Freezer, and diminishes surprise that comes from the climax, which is the anthrax scare. For instance, the beginning of The Demon in the Freezer begins with the lives of an anthrax victim named Robert Stevens and a smallpox victim named Peter Los, which draws the reader into the book as soon as they start reading it unless The Hot Zone has been read previously. The Hot Zone also starts off with a victim of a virus (anthrax isn't a virus but is still harmful to humanity) named Charles Monet. The virus that Charles Monet is eventually diagnosed with is the Ebola virus which is very deadly. The scene in which Charles Monet crashes and bleeds out, as the army calls it when blood comes out of every opening in the body of a victim of Ebola, adds suspense and gore to the beginning of the novel much more so than The Demon in the Freezer. The first few scenes in The Demon in the Freezer appear boring when compared to the first scene in The Hot Zone. The Hot Zone is also not as dry as The Demon in the Freezer overall: there is always suspense through The Hot Zone unlike in The Demon in the Freezer. When compared, The Hot Zone is a far better read than The Demon in the Freezer.
The Demon in the Freezer, however, is still a great read. The novel provides insight into the production of bio-weapons and the reality of how dangerous they are when nations that have ill will towards others are producing them. The novel also stresses the importance of the eradication or almost eradication of small pox . For instance, when small pox was still a major natural virus, it killed approximately two million people a year, and the eradication of smallpox has saved around fifty-six million lives. The Demon in the Freezer is more of a historical novel than a historical thriller like that of The Hot Zone. Overall, The Demon in the Freezer was a great read despite its close similarity with The Hot Zone.
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2: Confounding
Feel like being angry and disturbed? Give this a read. The Hot Zone was a great read but not nearly as scary as this book which shows just how evil mankind truly is. I keep asking myself why the Soviets would ever think that these viruses and antibiotic resistant bacteriums could be useful in defense of their nation. With modern transporation the entire world is in big trouble when this stuff gets out. Smallpox is bad enough on its own but it takes a very sick mind to weaponize it. What a world we are raising our children in- this is disturbing stuff.
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3: Those Who Forget History Are Doomed to Repeat It
This quote inherits a new sense of forboding when considering the history of smallpox, its eradication and the threat it currently presents us today. Richard Preston has managed to write my favorite kind of book with Demon in the Freezer: an informative but fascinating non-fiction page turner that is accessible by anyone with an inherent sense of curiosity.
Definite five stars.
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4: Another MUST READ from this author!
This book is a bold statement about the state of our world. Smallpox and anthrax are the new weapons of choice for anyone who wants to infect large populations around the world.
It's a great book and everyone should read it just to know what's out there.
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5: Wow! What a book!
Now this is the way to write a technical non-fiction book. It is a thriller, it is interesting, it is educational, and it is very, very frightening. Every human being that can read should buy this book and read it through. Great job, Mr Preston!
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