Rating: 
Summary: The Good and Bad of Smallpox
Review: This is a book likely to be served well by the bioterrorism paranoia sweeping the nation right now. Fortunately, it is a good one. Certainly, smallpox is a threat and Tucker does a good job of giving us a realistic view of that threat. On the other hand, despite the focus on the "once and future threat of smallpox," I found the best part of this book to be uplifting. Specifically, the eradication of smallpox from the world.Smallpox remains the only disease that has been completely eliminated from the human race through human action. It is difficult for many of us to remember what a horror smallpox was and how it killed and disfigured huge numbers of people around the world. Its defeat is an amazing accomplishment of which we should be proud and one which may never be repeated. The story of the development of the various vaccines and the quest to destroy smallpox is a fascinating one that shows what people can achieve when differences are put aside in reaching a common goal. Today, smallpox only survives in the laboratory and, as Tucker reminds us, some of these strains have likely been weaponized. At this point such a weapon would be devastating since we no longer vaccinate against the disease. Additionally, we do not have enough vaccine stockpiles to control an outbreak should a smallpox weapon be used. This is a well-timed warning and one we should take to heart; however, I hope we also take to heart the reminder of our power to do good with our science.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and timely
Review: This is an extraordinary and timely book. Published this year before the 11 Sept. calamities, it deals with the history of smallpox, the development of immunization, the slow and heroic elimination of smallpox,the secret and evil experiments in the Soviet Union with smallpox virus as a biological weapon in the 1980s and after, and then with the implications of terrorist induced reintroduction of smallpox. The author shows how it is likely that Iraq has the virus, although it was supposed to be held in strict isolation in two labs in the world only after the disease was finally wiped out in 1982. Well written, concise, and chilling. I am surprised that copies are still readily available.
Rating:
Summary: You think small pox is totally eradicated-think again!
Review: Tucker's fascinating story covers world history, geopolitics, human suffering, public health detective mysteries, the role and nature of scientific investigations, and biographies of outstanding, dedicated, heroic individuals. Tucker, a biological and chemical weapons expert, is eminently qualified to tell the tale of this disgusting, horrifying viral disease that kills 30 percent of its victims. Smallpox has been a warfare agent, deliberate or inadvertent, throughout human history. For example, in 1492 the New World of North, Central, and South America had 72 million inhabitants. In 1800 there were 600,000, with smallpox by far the leading killer. In Europe, "only" about two million died every year from smallpox between 1800 and 1970, the period of immunizations, which started with the early work of Edward Jenner and was followed by mass campaigns. By 1978, the disease had been eliminated worldwide as a result of World Health Organization efforts, one of the greatest achievements in medical history. It has been revealed that because the US and the Soviet Union did not succeed in a total destruction of laboratory cultures of the virus, some may have fallen into the hands of "rogue" nations or individuals ready to start the "age of bioterrorism." The plot thickens, indeed, and with it the suspense. A riveting work! All levels.
| 
