|
by Marburg
The concepts of the Burning Zone live on in many books. I have selected both new and previously published titles for this issue. Enjoy!
Except where noted, all books are available in paperback.
Biohazard: The Hot Zone and Beyond
by Peter Brookesmith
Published by Barnes & Noble Books
Hardback only at this printing.
Price: Approximately $21.95 at this printing.
This book details the rise of plagues and the threats we face from misuse of antibiotics, depletion of the ozone layer, and the loss of tropical rain forests. It shows how each of these events is giving rise to new and deadlier diseases, "the hot zone era." It is a fascinating look at our history through the devastation of plagues, development of science and technology to defeat these horrors and their re-emergence in our present and future.
The Cobra Event
by Richard Preston
Published by Random House
Both Hardback and Paperback
Terrorism meets biological weapons in this tale of genetic engineering and biotechnology in the wrong hands. It is a race to save humanity from a deadly disease that at first resembles a mild cold but culminates in self-cannibalization and death.
Side Effects
by Nancy Fisher
Published by Signet
Price: $4.99 US $5.99 Can
Kate Martin, an emergency room doctor, is recruited by the Randal Webber Corporation to head their medical/media relations program. She joins the team just as they launch an aggressive campaign to put Genelife into every home. In trials Genelife appears to restore youth and vitality. In reality, it brings on horrible death.
As the side effects begin to surface, Kate is plunged into a nightmare befitting a Burning Zone episode. Her search for answers leads her from the halls of a large Japanese corporation to a secret Florida laboratory, and the jungles of Brazil.
Contagion
by John David Connor
Published by Diamond Books
Available in used book stores
This one is for Teaberry. A virulent new strain of typhus is rapidly spreading through New Orleans. It is resistant to all antibiotics. Infection equals death. Dr. Howard Fletcher must track down the 1 person who has the cure: the disturbed scientist who created the virus.
The Eleventh Plague
by John S. Marr, M.D. and John Baldwin
Published by Cliff Street Books
Hardback and Internet
Price: $24 US and $34 Can
This book has many characteristics reminiscent of the Burning Zone. Chief among them is the organization, Pro-med. They track down new "hot zones" throughout the world and send personnel in to investigate.
Jack Byrne, a Cassian-type character and head of Pro-med, finds himself in a race against time to discover and halt bio-medical terrorism in the United States. The first two cases lead him to believe someone is re-enacting the ten plagues of Egypt. The FBI hamper his investigation when they tag him as their prime suspect.
Additional info on the ten plagues of Egypt can be found on the internet at: plaguescape.com Be prepared to enter a password (hint-the scientific name for the frog discussed in the second plague).
Old Standbys:
Pandora's Clock
by John J Nance
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Price: $6.99 US $8.99 Can
Picture a commercial Boeing 747 taking off for the United States with a planeload of people and 1 level 4 pathogen. 1 passenger has already died and the prognosis for the rest is not good.
This book actually came out about a year before the Burning Zone first aired. NBC developed a mini-series that aired shortly after BZ's episode, "Night Flight." At the time, I wondered if it was purely coincidence or Karma. Anyway, it is still available and is a good read.
The Hot Zone
by Richard Preston
Published by Anchor Books, Doubleday
Price: $6.99 US $8.99 Can
This one continues to pop up in many fiction and non-fiction books as a reference point.
As with Ebola by Dr. William T. Close, the Hot Zone takes a close look at the ever changing face of Ebola, the fear it engenders, and the roles the CDC and Fort Detrick play in containing these biohazard pathogens.
|
