Microterrors

by Tony Hart

The hidden dangers surrounding us.

Despite the confident strides of modern science, the threat of deadly unseen organisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi still grip the imagination with their ferocious intensity.

For instance, resistant strains of bacteria can now survive the strongest antibiotics and deadly new biological weapons are being cooked up in laboratories worldwide.

Microterrors explores these threats as well as humanity's greatest living rivals that have been on the planet far longer than we have.

The introduction covers terms, definitions and a brief natural history, including the role of viruses in human evolution, as well as bioengineering and biological weapons. Microterrors then presents the truly terrifying rogues' gallery of invisible killers.

Dramatic life-like digital illustrations and computer-colored electron images provide mug book profiles of hundreds of naturally occurring and bioengineered microterrors, including:
Ebola, bubonic plague, cholera, malaria
Bacteria: pneumonia, anthrax, botulism
Viruses: HIV, hepatitis, common cold
Fungi and blood and tissue diseases.


Each entry includes concise facts such as date of discovery and place of origin, period of incubation, symptoms and length of suffering, likelihood of death, treatments, vaccines and cures.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual book for me to pick up, but it was very interesting. Quick-and-dirty info about the common (and not so common) bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses that we're all susceptible to. Sometimes it made me want to squirm and submerge myself in bleach, but not too often to put it down. Wouldn't mind owning this one as a reference if I found it cheaply somewhere.

[Jacob Darley]

Nice overview of basic info on various infectious microorganisms and viruses, not a deep look but a decent quick reference.