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The Hot Zone  By  cover art

The Hot Zone

By: Richard Preston
Narrated by: Richard M. Davidson
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Publisher's summary

A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days, 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus.

The Hot Zone tells this dramatic story, giving a hair-raising account of the appearance of rare and lethal viruses and their "crashes" into the human race. Shocking, frightening, and impossible to ignore, The Hot Zone proves that truth really is scarier than fiction.

©1999 Richard Preston (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about The Hot Zone

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Excellent and Terrifying

I love this book — it has a great mix of the human and science element.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very Educational!

I learned a lot of new things this from this "The Hot Zone!" I was absolutely clueless to a lot of the viruses mentioned. I know much more about filoviruses and other diseases/viruses after reading. It's a very enjoyable book and I love how the book ties all of its characters together.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nonfiction thriller, to say the least!

I found myself waiting with baited breath for each chapter...Very well written and I would recommend it to everyone.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So awesome, I loved listening to this at work.

Loved listening to this while working in IT. Probably my favorite so far. Get it today

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Great Book.... Plenty of Curse Words!

It was a great book.... Just wish we could bleep out swear words... I recommend this book.

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There aren’t enough words

The Hot Zone is not at all my preferred reading category but I am SO glad I took the chance on it. There aren’t enough words to explain how much I loved this book. The facts of Ebola are terrifying and captivating at the same time. Give this book a chance, you won’t be sorry. I would have given the performance 5 stars if it wasn’t for the somewhat distracting echo you can hear at times in the recording (it’s similar to when your on the phone and you can hear yourself echo back, or faintly like the narrator is in a call center).

WARNING: for those who may find animal suffering very distressing there are lengthy detailed accounts of animal quarantine where they would suffer. In the beginning I almost stopped listening but was able to stick it out. If you don’t think you can bare it, this book may not be for you.

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Love it and will read it again

Great nonfiction book that I have listen to in awhile. Great story line about the rise of Ebola. Richard Preston is now consider my favorite author. Like a great nonfiction gore and with terrifying scene then listen to this one.

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Captivating

I couldn’t stop listening! Being a bit of a science nerd it fascinated me how we would handle something like this. A great read that you won’t want to put down!!

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great intro to the world of viruses!

This is by far one of my favorite read/listen of all time! It is so educational but disguised in a novel that is easy to listen too and easy to comprehend.

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    5 out of 5 stars

AMAZING. Horrific! I couldn't stop listening.

A slow descriptive start but once you become immersed in the story it is a real page burner! The opening is essential to the end of the book, as it comes back into play. The stories of each out break are not boring! I feel it was well read. I appreciate the reader's zest for describing the virus and medical terminology for Ebola and all of the things that I would have likely mispronounced if I was reading this on my own. Some descriptions will turn your stomach and have you washing your hands. A MUST READ for fans who love documentaries or movies about viral outbreaks. SO happy I have this audio. I will definitely listen to again.

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