The Hot Zone

A Terrifying True Story

By: Richard Preston

Narrated by: Howard McGillin

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

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.

©2004 Richard Preston. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A totally convincing page-turner, proving that truth is scarier than fiction." (Kirkus)
"One of the most horrifying things I've ever read. What a remarkable piece of work." (Stephen King)
"A top-drawer horror story...the best literary roller coaster of the fall." (Newsweek)

Terrifying

This book givrs me a newfound respect for the Ebola virus, and the people who work at the CDC to help keep us safe.

Great Book, but Very Graphic

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes medical mysteries.

Be aware, that the book has some very graphic descriptions of how a hemorrhagic virus attacks and destroys the human body. If you are uncomfortable with blood and guts, give this book a pass.

Detailed

The writing was very descriptive of the events. As a Retired Public Health Scientist detauled

Excellent

This book was one that intrigued me so much that I couldn't stop listening. Highly recommended.

not just some bug..

What made the experience of listening to The Hot Zone the most enjoyable?

i love medical field in generally as i happen to be nurse myself. i enjoy the realism of the story

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

realism and truthfulness and the background checking of the information that was given

Which scene was your favorite?

everything

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

i have had gone through this as traditional book at least 6 times before listening this version and i have loved it every single time

Abridged Version

The book was nice unfortunately, i did not know that this audiobook version was an abridged one, only 3 hours long. Many parts were omitted. there is an unabridged version, over 10 hours long, unfortunately, the same was not in english. I had to return the book. If they come out with the unabridged version, I would buy again though.

Scary Stuff

Are we a virus on this earth and the earth is just counteracting to shift it's balance. The most interesting concept in the book. Really scary stuff out there and shows me how insignificant we can become when these nasty virus's decide to show their colours

Missing info

Many parts of the book were cut out or misread, resulting in a lot of lost information

Engaging read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hot Zone to be better than the print version?

I appreciated the audio addition so I could be busy with chores and still listen with my headphones to this story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hot Zone?

the narrator was wonderful. He voice was clear and engaging.

wild story but didn't particularly grab me.

the narration was good, story was cool, but it wasn't a particularly excitingly written book. a lot of exposition for not a ton of payoff, which I get is because it's a mostly true story, but I could have done with less info about each person and their lives