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Uncaged
In a thrill a minute read, author Paul McKellips poses a frightening “what if” scenario that will leave the human race on the brink of certain disaster. When a series of attacks on animal researchers leave several people dead, the government—including the President—issues an immediate ban on animal testing. And that’s when the real trouble begins… At the heart of the action are two government agents, the dashing Commander “Camp” Campbell, a man as decorated for his bravery in Iraq as for his own self-professed charm. Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines is the more practical of the two, a woman defined by her dedication to rules. Camp has returned to the States, newly reassigned to a government-funded test site. When the ban on animals comes down, Camp pulls a restless act by making off with two hundred rats…and winds up in deep trouble. He is immediately banished for a year, his superiors hoping the ramifications of his stunt will have worn off by then. Raines, uncharacteristically covering for him, finds herself joining him. But where they are headed only increases the risk—both to themselves, to the scientist whose very existence is threatened…and the future of the human race. Who is really behind the ban on animal testing? And why? Could a deadly, dangerous fanatical group be behind the threat of a new vein of plague sweeping across the country…or worse, could it be someone people have come to trust?
280 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2011
22 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Paul McKellips
4 books5 followersPaul McKellips is an entertaining, engaging and motivational public speaker who delivers more than 80 presentations each year in the United States and around the world.
Combining 30-years in the motion picture industry with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan over the last six years, McKellips - who now serves as the Executive Vice President at the Foundation for Biomedical Research in Washington, DC - has the unique perspective to creatively explain how biomedical research protects the world's population from bio-terrorism and state-sponsored bio-warfare and the role the greatest military on Earth plays to keep us all safe.
Combining 30-years in the motion picture industry with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan over the last six years, McKellips - who now serves as the Executive Vice President at the Foundation for Biomedical Research in Washington, DC - has the unique perspective to creatively explain how biomedical research protects the world's population from bio-terrorism and state-sponsored bio-warfare and the role the greatest military on Earth plays to keep us all safe.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 20, 2011
While I admire the author's effort in trying to get people to understand the importance of in vivo research, this book is a horrible read, even with a somewhat interesting storyline. It jumps around and the dialogue is ridiculously hokey. Then, all of a sudden, it's over. I was hugely disappointed in a book for which I had had high hopes. One of the worst I've ever read.
September 4, 2012
Oh ugh.
I wanted to like this book, I did. I have had a few ads for this book through my professional associations, and it makes sense. I am/was a biomedical researcher, I do work with laboratory animals.
Here's a thriller, all about sciency-mediciney stuff with animals! It's a "what if" story. What if animal research was banned. Even better, what if animal research was banned and it was all an evil conspiracy.
The story was OK. It was a bit much. A lot of links, a huge over arching conspiracy. The use of how animal rights people work and what means they use for their havoc and terrorism is there. The story wasn't bad.
I thought the writing left a lot to be desired. It was very choppy. There would be all kinds of things going on and then the author would stop with some statistics. Hard numbers, that while are totally true, don't fit the story at all. I'm sure the readership is happy to know that rats get however-many square inches of space at however-many grams of weight, but it doesn't matter to the story. This was not the way to "educate" the public, I'm sorry.
And by going into too much detail: 1. He lost the story and 2. He lost me. I mean, WHY would some desert lab use nice expensive tecniplast cages when they could use older, cheaper stuff. WHY would one specific institution be called out from the largest medical/research complex in the world? Some of it just didn't make sense. Plus, well, if you didn't have industry knowledge it might just be annoying.
The main character was such a Marty Stu it was ridiculous. The characters were just flat.
So.. meh. I know what he was trying to do, I get it, I just didn't like the way he was trying to do it.
I wanted to like this book, I did. I have had a few ads for this book through my professional associations, and it makes sense. I am/was a biomedical researcher, I do work with laboratory animals.
Here's a thriller, all about sciency-mediciney stuff with animals! It's a "what if" story. What if animal research was banned. Even better, what if animal research was banned and it was all an evil conspiracy.
The story was OK. It was a bit much. A lot of links, a huge over arching conspiracy. The use of how animal rights people work and what means they use for their havoc and terrorism is there. The story wasn't bad.
I thought the writing left a lot to be desired. It was very choppy. There would be all kinds of things going on and then the author would stop with some statistics. Hard numbers, that while are totally true, don't fit the story at all. I'm sure the readership is happy to know that rats get however-many square inches of space at however-many grams of weight, but it doesn't matter to the story. This was not the way to "educate" the public, I'm sorry.
And by going into too much detail: 1. He lost the story and 2. He lost me. I mean, WHY would some desert lab use nice expensive tecniplast cages when they could use older, cheaper stuff. WHY would one specific institution be called out from the largest medical/research complex in the world? Some of it just didn't make sense. Plus, well, if you didn't have industry knowledge it might just be annoying.
The main character was such a Marty Stu it was ridiculous. The characters were just flat.
So.. meh. I know what he was trying to do, I get it, I just didn't like the way he was trying to do it.
October 3, 2014
I am a biomedical researcher and recently had the pleasure of attending one of Mr. McKellips' talks. He's so engaging and dynamic a speaker; I expected more from this book. To me it was a Robin Cook-meets-Tom Clancy attempt that missed the mark.
I found the story to be choppy and inconsistent and much of the book to be over the heads of the lay reader. I liked the idea of the "what if" scenario created and there was so much potential, but unfortunately Mr. McKellips didn't capitalize on that potential. I felt that some of the scenarios were far-fetched and that the story wrapped up too quickly and cleanly.
I found the story to be choppy and inconsistent and much of the book to be over the heads of the lay reader. I liked the idea of the "what if" scenario created and there was so much potential, but unfortunately Mr. McKellips didn't capitalize on that potential. I felt that some of the scenarios were far-fetched and that the story wrapped up too quickly and cleanly.
February 4, 2012
Exciting read! A great plot a little too close to an "almost" reality. It's scary to comprehend we're just a few "crazies" away from total mayhem. Animal research has provided so many cures and procedures and helped increase human life expectancy! Folks who oppose it need to remember that everything has been tested on animals for safety. Products that are marketed as "not tested on animals" are most certainly composed to individual components that have been extensively tested! A great read!!!
March 20, 2024
if you are passionately about the military and US government, this book is for you, but not really my cup of tea. that being said, the content was easily digestible and ways to understand, even without a military background. greatly anxiety inducing. don’t think i could have come anywhere near this book in 2020
July 30, 2020
Very easy read! I didn't want to put the book down.
March 8, 2022
Great sci-fi/military operations type thriller. Combines a Tom Clancy-style action and character list with some very scary real biological warfare/bioterrorism concepts.
July 16, 2018
Oh, it's so so so bad. This is one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot, characters, and writing are awful. I think a bulleted list is probably the best way to go here.
* HAB (holy acronyms, Batman!). I guess when you want readers to believe you've worked for the government, you add some acronyms.
* There were a surprising number of secret and/or illegal conversations that occurred in public places. Like, sit in the car and talk about classified information. Cafes probably aren't the best places.
*THREE potential pandemics? Dude, no. And they all depend on a complicated infection and innoculation scheme? Dude, no.
*Having a garage full of infected animals from Asia seems like a bad idea.
* Editorial failures galore. For example, "canvas" and "canvass" aren't the same. "Comprised of" is incorrect. "Monkey" and "ape" are different creatures. You don't call a Senator "Mister Senator." And commas are helpful.
*And one of the worst: Wikipedia regurgita. After Raines and Camp get to Diego Garcia, I got suspicious. McKellips appears to have summarized the entry for the island. What. Seriously.
*STRAIGHT-UP PLAGIARISM. What the hell. See above. Since I'd suspected regurgitation, I started checking. And then I found it: Chapter 2, paragraph 2. Word-for-freaking-word (nearly) plagiarism from the Wikipedia entry on the White House Situation Room.
* HAB (holy acronyms, Batman!). I guess when you want readers to believe you've worked for the government, you add some acronyms.
* There were a surprising number of secret and/or illegal conversations that occurred in public places. Like, sit in the car and talk about classified information. Cafes probably aren't the best places.
*THREE potential pandemics? Dude, no. And they all depend on a complicated infection and innoculation scheme? Dude, no.
*Having a garage full of infected animals from Asia seems like a bad idea.
* Editorial failures galore. For example, "canvas" and "canvass" aren't the same. "Comprised of" is incorrect. "Monkey" and "ape" are different creatures. You don't call a Senator "Mister Senator." And commas are helpful.
*And one of the worst: Wikipedia regurgita. After Raines and Camp get to Diego Garcia, I got suspicious. McKellips appears to have summarized the entry for the island. What. Seriously.
*STRAIGHT-UP PLAGIARISM. What the hell. See above. Since I'd suspected regurgitation, I started checking. And then I found it: Chapter 2, paragraph 2. Word-for-freaking-word (nearly) plagiarism from the Wikipedia entry on the White House Situation Room.
August 7, 2011
A compact bio-terrorist military thriller with an ideal balance of tenderness, passion and unexpected twists and turns.
UNCAGED is a wild ride within the secretive operative world of the military as they race against the clock to find and isolate a plaque terror cell operation. This terror cell which includes a mix of Korean, Russian and an Islamic pharmaceutical group, have developed a mixed strain of Ebola and a plague virus called Malak al-Maut. The main characters are Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines, board certified in veterinary preventive medicine, laboratory animal medicine and also trained in infectious diseases and Commander Seabury Campbell a decorated former Navy Seal and former trauma surgeon. Campbell nicknamed Camp is burned out from the twenty-four hour shifts he was putting in at the tent-city trauma center in the Balad Air Base overseas. He has decided to take it slow and is happy with his reassignment at Fort Detrick, an animal research facility. However that all changes once the government passes a yearly mandate on how many animals a research facility can contain within a given area. Suddenly Camp is out of a job and finds himself wondering where he will be headed next. It doesn't take long for Camp to be reassigned once Brigadier General Ferguson, Camp's supervisor, decides Camp needs to shape up by shipping out. When the mandate went into effect, 200 out of 1000 lab rats under Camp's care turn up missing when Camp returned the shipment back to the breeder. With Camp's rear on the line, Raines covers for Camp during a meeting with Garcia from the Inspector Generals office, who is very angry and wants to know what Camp did with the missing rats. After the meeting General Ferguson decides both Raines and Camp need to go as far away from the IG office as possible and reassigns them both to Diego Garcia, an animal research lab outside the U.S. in the Indian Ocean. During this fiasco with Camp and Raines we get to meet Eileen a friend of Camp's, who owns a quaint bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Camp spends his time away from work. Camp's parents also come into the picture, when Camp is called after his father is arrested for shooting off his shot gun near protesters, at their dairy and poultry farm in Lancaster, P.A. While all this is going on animal rights activists are killing researchers left and right and even poisoning grocery meat with Ecoli bacteria. I did not find UNCAGED to be a fast paced novel, but it does have a lot going on at once. It is not a book one can read while multi-tasking, you need to really pay attention from the beginning or you will not notice some things later toward the end of the book.
What I like most about UNCAGED is how Mckellips threw in a couple unexpected surprises along the way, that you never see coming. This book is not for the faint of heart, since there are some very realistic deaths and disturbing scenes throughout. McKellips writes in his acknowledgement about the DEVGRU Navy Seal team he uses in this book. He explains how it is the same team that entered and removed Osama Bin Laden from his compound in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. It is ironic and sad that as I write this review today August 6, 2011, a DEVGRU Navy Seal helicopter from this same team was shot down today in Kabul, Afghanistan killing all 30 soldiers on board. My condolences and prayers go out to these families.
UNCAGED is a wild ride within the secretive operative world of the military as they race against the clock to find and isolate a plaque terror cell operation. This terror cell which includes a mix of Korean, Russian and an Islamic pharmaceutical group, have developed a mixed strain of Ebola and a plague virus called Malak al-Maut. The main characters are Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines, board certified in veterinary preventive medicine, laboratory animal medicine and also trained in infectious diseases and Commander Seabury Campbell a decorated former Navy Seal and former trauma surgeon. Campbell nicknamed Camp is burned out from the twenty-four hour shifts he was putting in at the tent-city trauma center in the Balad Air Base overseas. He has decided to take it slow and is happy with his reassignment at Fort Detrick, an animal research facility. However that all changes once the government passes a yearly mandate on how many animals a research facility can contain within a given area. Suddenly Camp is out of a job and finds himself wondering where he will be headed next. It doesn't take long for Camp to be reassigned once Brigadier General Ferguson, Camp's supervisor, decides Camp needs to shape up by shipping out. When the mandate went into effect, 200 out of 1000 lab rats under Camp's care turn up missing when Camp returned the shipment back to the breeder. With Camp's rear on the line, Raines covers for Camp during a meeting with Garcia from the Inspector Generals office, who is very angry and wants to know what Camp did with the missing rats. After the meeting General Ferguson decides both Raines and Camp need to go as far away from the IG office as possible and reassigns them both to Diego Garcia, an animal research lab outside the U.S. in the Indian Ocean. During this fiasco with Camp and Raines we get to meet Eileen a friend of Camp's, who owns a quaint bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Camp spends his time away from work. Camp's parents also come into the picture, when Camp is called after his father is arrested for shooting off his shot gun near protesters, at their dairy and poultry farm in Lancaster, P.A. While all this is going on animal rights activists are killing researchers left and right and even poisoning grocery meat with Ecoli bacteria. I did not find UNCAGED to be a fast paced novel, but it does have a lot going on at once. It is not a book one can read while multi-tasking, you need to really pay attention from the beginning or you will not notice some things later toward the end of the book.
What I like most about UNCAGED is how Mckellips threw in a couple unexpected surprises along the way, that you never see coming. This book is not for the faint of heart, since there are some very realistic deaths and disturbing scenes throughout. McKellips writes in his acknowledgement about the DEVGRU Navy Seal team he uses in this book. He explains how it is the same team that entered and removed Osama Bin Laden from his compound in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. It is ironic and sad that as I write this review today August 6, 2011, a DEVGRU Navy Seal helicopter from this same team was shot down today in Kabul, Afghanistan killing all 30 soldiers on board. My condolences and prayers go out to these families.
August 5, 2012
"Uncaged" by Paul McKellips is a medical and military thriller that won't only keep you up at night turning pages to find out what happens next, but will have you wondering if something like this could really happen. It's a fast paced book that really does leave one wondering "what if?" I enjoyed the story, but I also enjoyed the questions and situations the novel made me think about.
The story centers on two main characters: Commander "Camp" Campbell, a decorated former Navy SEAL turned military trauma doctor, and Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines, a former member of the Army's Veterinary Corps, turned expert in bio-terror defense and engineering. The two of them get caught up in a web of intrigue and suspicion as animal rights activists plan the elimination of all animal testing and eating at the same time that a global terrorist cell launches a biological attack on American soil with a newly designed Black Plague that might be crossed with a strain of deadly Ebola. With death tolls rising in several American cities, the race to solve the mysterious development and attack, along with finding a cure to the new and fatal disease, could never be more pressing and important. With time running out, you are right there with Camp and Raines as they battle the unseen enemy.
The story takes place in numerous locations, and McKellips uses a technique to help the reader stay on top of the story and not become confused as to what is going on where. Each change of location is introduced with a bold heading of where you are located. This is obviously done at the beginner of each chapter, but also during chapters when the author takes us to a new place. I did find that this helped me follow along with the story that does jump from here to there quite often.
I also enjoyed how McKellips slowly introduced things about the main characters as the story unfolded. This character development had me caring about the two by the end of the story, and I was satisfied with the way the author wrapped things up and ended the tale.
The story didn't have a lot of military action, but it did contain a small dose, and made up for it with the suspense of the bio-terror plot to infect and kill countless Americans. It was an engaging and fun read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspenseful medical type thrillers.
The story centers on two main characters: Commander "Camp" Campbell, a decorated former Navy SEAL turned military trauma doctor, and Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines, a former member of the Army's Veterinary Corps, turned expert in bio-terror defense and engineering. The two of them get caught up in a web of intrigue and suspicion as animal rights activists plan the elimination of all animal testing and eating at the same time that a global terrorist cell launches a biological attack on American soil with a newly designed Black Plague that might be crossed with a strain of deadly Ebola. With death tolls rising in several American cities, the race to solve the mysterious development and attack, along with finding a cure to the new and fatal disease, could never be more pressing and important. With time running out, you are right there with Camp and Raines as they battle the unseen enemy.
The story takes place in numerous locations, and McKellips uses a technique to help the reader stay on top of the story and not become confused as to what is going on where. Each change of location is introduced with a bold heading of where you are located. This is obviously done at the beginner of each chapter, but also during chapters when the author takes us to a new place. I did find that this helped me follow along with the story that does jump from here to there quite often.
I also enjoyed how McKellips slowly introduced things about the main characters as the story unfolded. This character development had me caring about the two by the end of the story, and I was satisfied with the way the author wrapped things up and ended the tale.
The story didn't have a lot of military action, but it did contain a small dose, and made up for it with the suspense of the bio-terror plot to infect and kill countless Americans. It was an engaging and fun read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspenseful medical type thrillers.
September 8, 2012
I have to say honestly that I truly enjoyed this story and would've finished it far more quickly if I weren't a mother during summer vacation because I found it quite easy to become completely involved in the storyline, and I can appreciate that. Uncaged is a fictional blending of medical type thriller and "what if" scenario that successfully turns "black ops" or "classified" into something evocative and exciting. Well done, Mr. McKellips, you have my vote for excellent storytelling.
The beginning sent the reader bouncing all over the continental forty-eight states and made me feel kind of dizzy from time to time just trying to keep track of where the story was taking place at that particular point in time but calmed down fairly quickly and tended to stay in one spot consecutively afterwards. I was kind of happy there was a glossary at the end otherwise I might've gotten completely put off with all the acronyms because it seems like the government has an acronym for everything and I thought most of them were referenced in the story. I also felt like laughing at several points because the by-play between characters, especially military is hilarious and Mr. McKellips did a remarkably good job of illustrating the working relationship between career military personnel.
While some of the aspects of the ending were kind of typecast for lack of a better description because they could've been guessed from the first third of the story, there were other aspects that I genuinely didn't see coming and I love to be surprised. Granted, I also thought the ending could've been more detailed because it was almost as if Mr. McKellips got to a certain point in a rather interesting storyline and then got cautious and decided to tie up a few of the loose ends and stop before the story got too in-depth which left me slightly disappointed. I wanted to read more.
All in all, I'd have to give Uncaged four stars because the story is interesting and believable and ties together nicely even though the ending seems kind of quick and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who loves to curl up with a Tom Clancy type political/medical thriller without all the exhaustive detail.
The beginning sent the reader bouncing all over the continental forty-eight states and made me feel kind of dizzy from time to time just trying to keep track of where the story was taking place at that particular point in time but calmed down fairly quickly and tended to stay in one spot consecutively afterwards. I was kind of happy there was a glossary at the end otherwise I might've gotten completely put off with all the acronyms because it seems like the government has an acronym for everything and I thought most of them were referenced in the story. I also felt like laughing at several points because the by-play between characters, especially military is hilarious and Mr. McKellips did a remarkably good job of illustrating the working relationship between career military personnel.
While some of the aspects of the ending were kind of typecast for lack of a better description because they could've been guessed from the first third of the story, there were other aspects that I genuinely didn't see coming and I love to be surprised. Granted, I also thought the ending could've been more detailed because it was almost as if Mr. McKellips got to a certain point in a rather interesting storyline and then got cautious and decided to tie up a few of the loose ends and stop before the story got too in-depth which left me slightly disappointed. I wanted to read more.
All in all, I'd have to give Uncaged four stars because the story is interesting and believable and ties together nicely even though the ending seems kind of quick and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who loves to curl up with a Tom Clancy type political/medical thriller without all the exhaustive detail.
August 27, 2011
Review copy provided by author.
Animal rights activists are conspiring to shut down biomedical research in the United States just as terrorists have weaponized the bubonic plague with the help of Russian and Korean interests. Two military officers who are themselves medical researchers, "Camp" Campbell and Leslie Raines, reluctantly join forces to thwart the terrorists and reinstate animal research before a deadly flu virus can kill thousands of Americans. With help from a crack team, Camp and Raines must investigate an intricate web of international alliances to uncover the truth.
No doubt about it, this is an extremely complicated novel, not just because it deals with politics, espionage, and medicine, but because it's spread out all over the world--the U.S., Algeria, Korea, Japan, Russia, and Costa Rica, to name a few locales. Because of all the various threads that have to come together, the story jumps around a lot through the first half, and it's a bit hard to follow. There's a lot of political shenanigans and shady dealings, some of them less than believable. It seems highly unlikely, for instance, that all animal research could be suspended by an executive order of the US President. Many of the characters seem more like types than real characters, including the main characters. However, since the novel focuses more on action than individuals that may be fine for most readers, especially those who like military types, such as Clancy fans. The second half of the novel really picks up the pace and becomes truly compelling. Overall, Uncaged is a highly readable medical thriller.
Animal rights activists are conspiring to shut down biomedical research in the United States just as terrorists have weaponized the bubonic plague with the help of Russian and Korean interests. Two military officers who are themselves medical researchers, "Camp" Campbell and Leslie Raines, reluctantly join forces to thwart the terrorists and reinstate animal research before a deadly flu virus can kill thousands of Americans. With help from a crack team, Camp and Raines must investigate an intricate web of international alliances to uncover the truth.
No doubt about it, this is an extremely complicated novel, not just because it deals with politics, espionage, and medicine, but because it's spread out all over the world--the U.S., Algeria, Korea, Japan, Russia, and Costa Rica, to name a few locales. Because of all the various threads that have to come together, the story jumps around a lot through the first half, and it's a bit hard to follow. There's a lot of political shenanigans and shady dealings, some of them less than believable. It seems highly unlikely, for instance, that all animal research could be suspended by an executive order of the US President. Many of the characters seem more like types than real characters, including the main characters. However, since the novel focuses more on action than individuals that may be fine for most readers, especially those who like military types, such as Clancy fans. The second half of the novel really picks up the pace and becomes truly compelling. Overall, Uncaged is a highly readable medical thriller.
July 28, 2011
What many readers will enjoy about this book is the there is immediate action right when he/she opens the page. It will not take long for a reader to catch on to the plot and understand what the meaning of the novel is, as is the case with some science fiction novels. This novel is told from several different point of views, making it easier for the reader to understand and read the whole picture. The author captures each different characters' reactions and dialogue very well.
The plot itself is more than intriguing enough to capture and keep the readers' interest. It is obvious that the writer has done his research, which can be further verified when the reader comes across the author's impressive bio. The plot will uncover several hardcore issues that need to be addressed and reevaluated. Terrorism, bio terrorism, and animal rights will be delved into; the author remains somewhat nonjudgmental, perfect for this novel. At times, the multiple issues may force the reader to go back a few pages to digest what just occurred or was implied.
The characters, though somewhat stereotypical, help to draw the reader further into the book. The reader will enjoy getting to know each of them. This book is recommended for readers who read novels containing world issues, medical issues, etc...
The plot itself is more than intriguing enough to capture and keep the readers' interest. It is obvious that the writer has done his research, which can be further verified when the reader comes across the author's impressive bio. The plot will uncover several hardcore issues that need to be addressed and reevaluated. Terrorism, bio terrorism, and animal rights will be delved into; the author remains somewhat nonjudgmental, perfect for this novel. At times, the multiple issues may force the reader to go back a few pages to digest what just occurred or was implied.
The characters, though somewhat stereotypical, help to draw the reader further into the book. The reader will enjoy getting to know each of them. This book is recommended for readers who read novels containing world issues, medical issues, etc...
August 17, 2011
UNCAGED by Paul McKellips is an exciting suspense/fiction set in present day U.S.A. It is written with depth and details.The plot is interesting and will have you on the edge of your seat. It has biomedical,danger,a deadly plague,intrigue,suspense,researchers,high tech science,conspiracy,death,and valor. Commander "Camp" Campbell and Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines find they are in a dangerous situation with the government.While Camp is banished overseas,he also knows he is set to be the fall guy for conspiracy.He was a decorated hero in Iraq.They must battle an unseen battle,a plague that is sweeping across the country.This is a fast paced,action packed story that asks "what if" as "Uncaged" will leave you breathless.A must read for any and all suspense,adventure,and action readers. This book was received for the purpose of review from the author.Details can be found at Vantage Point Press and My Book Addiction Reviews.
January 25, 2013
As many others who wrote reviews, I was also a researcher, and received many emails proclaiming this book as a "must-read!" So I did, and was anticipating a book I could relate to. Again, this seems to be a consistent review, but this book was highly erratic and lacking in clear quality writing. Not a dig at the author, who is obviously very passionate about his line of work and stands for a cause... But maybe this thriller book writing isn't his style? It didn't feel like an original story... Something that's already been addressed in "Outbreak" or several Robin Cook novels. Interesting topic, but not the best book. However, maybe the "non-biomedical researcher" person would enjoy this book... Because it's a new topic for them...one that may cause them to want to do their own research on the topic and draw their own conclusions. As someone who knows the industry, I found myself nit-picking at details.
January 16, 2012
Great idea for a plot. Poorly written (looks like one of those self publishing jobs), grammatical errors, awful transitions between scenes/places/times. I found myself reading dialogue again and again, because I could simply not figure out who was speaking. Really, really GREAT idea for a plot. That is the only thing that kept me going. In the hands of a talented writer (or simply a more polished writer with a good editor), this would have been a best seller. There were even some funny-as-hell lines in there that surprised me...pearls among swine, shall we say. My favorite one was "...and Al Queda sends FLEAS?!"
You'll have to get through 75% to get to that beauty.
I"d encourage McKellips to keep writing, because practice makes perfect. This one, however, is far from it.
You'll have to get through 75% to get to that beauty.
I"d encourage McKellips to keep writing, because practice makes perfect. This one, however, is far from it.
September 8, 2011
Uncaged is a rollercoaster ride filled with suspense, tension, bio-terrorism, intrigue and more. You certainly get your money’s worth in Paul McKellip’s novel. The trouble begins when the president bans animal testing after several people are killed in such facilities. But not only is the book about animal rights, it is also about bio-terrorism. With several plots and numerous characters, you’d think one would get hopelessly lost in such a story, but McKellip’s writes in such a way that the reader is not lost, but becomes enthralled (this one reader anyway). With likeable characters and plot twists with some surprises, this book is sure to be a best seller.
February 8, 2015
The War: Ripped from Today's News
This is as good as anything by Tom Clancy. Bubonic plague, Avian Flu, Ebola, Animal Rights, Undercover operatives, Politicians, The Military, Al Qaeda, the Russians, Twists, Turns, Love, a Hero that sheds tears and much more all knit together in a tight story that eventually warms your heart like a hand-knit sweater on a chill night. Tons of factual information delivered by the characters in a believable conversational manner, local and exotic locals described brilliantly and characters so believable you'll swear they live in your neighborhood. Very highly recommended.
This is as good as anything by Tom Clancy. Bubonic plague, Avian Flu, Ebola, Animal Rights, Undercover operatives, Politicians, The Military, Al Qaeda, the Russians, Twists, Turns, Love, a Hero that sheds tears and much more all knit together in a tight story that eventually warms your heart like a hand-knit sweater on a chill night. Tons of factual information delivered by the characters in a believable conversational manner, local and exotic locals described brilliantly and characters so believable you'll swear they live in your neighborhood. Very highly recommended.
October 29, 2012
I thought this book was really good. I work in the medical research field so this was right up my alley. My friend recommended it to me because she got the book at a meeting. I hope that if someone reads this they realize this is a REAL what if scenario, not just a made up story. This can actually happen if certain situations happen. Reading this was kind of scary because I have seen the plague worked with and I know that this stuff is real. I recommend this to anyone who wants a handful of truth about research.
February 18, 2014
What a read.What a ride into the dark side of bioterrorism.
This is an exceptional book of fiction loaded with science and some behind-the-scenes truths in its events. A global conspiracy to deploy bioterrorism on an unsuspecting USA.The characters tenacious in their resolve to find cures and bring our villains to justice. The reader are whisked across 4 continents during the pursuit which climaxes in a nice twist. If you love this subject matter my I suggest the non fiction best seller ' The Hot Zone' it reads like fiction and is totally terrifying.
This is an exceptional book of fiction loaded with science and some behind-the-scenes truths in its events. A global conspiracy to deploy bioterrorism on an unsuspecting USA.The characters tenacious in their resolve to find cures and bring our villains to justice. The reader are whisked across 4 continents during the pursuit which climaxes in a nice twist. If you love this subject matter my I suggest the non fiction best seller ' The Hot Zone' it reads like fiction and is totally terrifying.
May 18, 2012
I really thought this book would be better. I thought the writing was choppy and the characters were not developed enough to get into their stories. The overall story line was interesting but again could have been developed more. I felt like the book was written in a hurry or the author didn't want it to be too long.
October 4, 2012
Working for a biomedical institution, I was excited about reading this book. It was very interesting and I liked where it was going, however, it seemed choppy to me, used lots of characters with foreign names which sometimes confused me on who was doing what, and lots of acronyms for no apparent reason.
September 12, 2012
OK, the one star is because it has no blatant grammar or spelling mistakes, and because the story has potential.
The rest of the book sucks. It never picks up a pace where you are tempted to keep on reading, the sexual tension between the characters is non-existent, it leaves like 20 loose ends. Don't bother, not worth the read.
The rest of the book sucks. It never picks up a pace where you are tempted to keep on reading, the sexual tension between the characters is non-existent, it leaves like 20 loose ends. Don't bother, not worth the read.
September 8, 2013
I thought this book was great. It is a very scary thought finding out about the different, dangerous, and deadly viruses that can be used to hurt people and this book had that plus an awesome storyline that ended beautifully. I hope the author has plenty more books just like this one.
Want to read
August 3, 2011Medical thriller.
January 13, 2012
Super fast read about animal research. Ended up being a pretty good balance between points of view.
June 10, 2013
While this had good writing and an ok story line, it went off on too many tangents to thrill me.
May 2, 2013
Signed copy. Looking forward to meeting the author at our company on May 9!
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