L.

I'm a nutcase biology nerd, specializing in insect life. I was worried the book would read as a fearful, sensationalized, bid for a sanitized existence. I was wrong. The book is totally fascinating; it's filled with gritty details of outbreaks, epidemics and hypotheticals that inspire daydreams (nightmares?). Viruses are described in enough detail to excite the interests of biologists, but not so complicated as to alienate that the layman epidemic enthusiast.
Nathan Wolf's description of his career evolution from a primate specialist to an authority on epidemiology was unexpected and inspiring. As a young entomologist, I am now wondering if I'm in the wrong field! Wolf brings to light the incredible microscopic world of microbes into focus and shows insane complexity. My enthusiasm, writing this review, echoes Wolf's obvious enthusiasm for the world of viruses, prions and other bugs.