Rating: 
Summary: A compact, durable lecture on bioterrorism
Review: Dr. Michael Osterholm, chief epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health and nationally-known authority on bioterrorism, has (with journalist John Schwartz, his co-author) put together the literary equivalent of a good, PBS-class documentary or an especially good lecture on bioterrorism. Well-crafted and easy to follow, "Living Terrors" is a very useful introduction for the more educated layman to this suddenly very relevant topic.If you're up to assimilating the information Mike Osterholm lays out in this book, it's a rewarding experience, very much like attending a highly condensed lecture series in a very short time (if you're a reasonably fast reader). Osterholm's style engages the reader's attention and very effectively communicates the severity of the hazards with which we are now much more familiar with than we ever wanted to be. By the way, Dr. Osterholm didn't rush to print after the tragedy of September 11th but had written and published this book not very long after Richard Preston's bioterrorism novel "The Cobra Event" and "The Hot Zone," Preston's previous bestselling documentary on the near-disastrous introduction of a mutant strain of the Ebola virus to the outskirts of Washington DC touched off a spate of novels and documentaries on the topics of emerging diseases, exotic epidemiology and bioterrorism. I can recommend "Living Terrors" as a solid, sometimes mildly hackneyed, yet engaging introduction to the topic of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Although America now already knows what a bioterror offensive is, Dr. Osterholm's book continues to serve as an in-depth introduction to this topic for anyone who wishes a better understanding of what is happening in the United States.
Rating: 
Summary: Still One of The Best On The Subject...
Review: I first read LIVING TERRORS two years ago, when the first edition hit bookstores. I re-read it this past week (mid-November 2002) and it still chills me... as well it should. From William Clinton to anti-terrorism czar Richard Clarke to the bioterrorism mavens at USAMMRID and Johns Hopkins University-- the prediction is as unanimous as it is chilling. There will be a biological attack by terrorists --on U.S. soil-- within the next five to ten years. And when it does, it will doubtless follow one or another of the scenarios detailed in Living Terrors. I've spent the past six hours reading it cover-to-cover, and it is an outstanding book-- the kind of thing that ought to be required reading at all levels of government and the general public. It is that rare combination of solid research and excellent writing to which all non-fiction should aspire. I spent months extensively researching biological terrorism for my novel on the subject, Final Epidemic-- from Richard Preston to Ken Alibek to the works of Don Henderson of Johns Hopkins, and more. Living Terrors stands among the best of them. Frankly, since starting research on the subject back in November 1999, I've been shocked and appalled at just how vulnerable the world is --and remains-- to biological terrorism. Dr. Osterholm and Mr. Schwartz detail this onrushing catastrophe in a manner that is cautionary without sensationalism-- providing information that, when the inevitable microbe attack occurs, could nonetheless save American lives. Buy --and read-- Living Terrors. And for your own sake, take this issue seriously, today.
Rating:
Summary: Still One of The Best On The Subject...
Review: I first read LIVING TERRORS two years ago, when the first edition hit bookstores. I re-read it this past week (mid-November 2002) and it still chills me... as well it should. From William Clinton to anti-terrorism czar Richard Clarke to the bioterrorism mavens at USAMMRID and Johns Hopkins University-- the prediction is as unanimous as it is chilling. There will be a biological attack by terrorists --on U.S. soil-- within the next five to ten years. And when it does, it will doubtless follow one or another of the scenarios detailed in Living Terrors. I've spent the past six hours reading it cover-to-cover, and it is an outstanding book-- the kind of thing that ought to be required reading at all levels of government and the general public. It is that rare combination of solid research and excellent writing to which all non-fiction should aspire. I spent months extensively researching biological terrorism for my novel on the subject, Final Epidemic-- from Richard Preston to Ken Alibek to the works of Don Henderson of Johns Hopkins, and more. Living Terrors stands among the best of them. Frankly, since starting research on the subject back in November 1999, I've been shocked and appalled at just how vulnerable the world is --and remains-- to biological terrorism. Dr. Osterholm and Mr. Schwartz detail this onrushing catastrophe in a manner that is cautionary without sensationalism-- providing information that, when the inevitable microbe attack occurs, could nonetheless save American lives. Buy --and read-- Living Terrors. And for your own sake, take this issue seriously, today.
Rating:
Summary: A Critical Book for Americans to Read
Review: Living Terrors is a book that should be read by all Americans. The
book is written by Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D. and science journalist
John Schwartz. It is based largely on Dr. Osterholm's experience as
an epidemiologist, his expertise in biological weapons, and his
efforts to educate the public on the threats of bioterrorism. He
illustrates several points about the unique aspects of this threat by
beginning chapters with fictional vignettes about hypothetical
bioterrorists. The emphasis is on the general anonymity of the
perpetrators, ready availability of biological agents, and the
difficulty tracking the terrorist. He uses the subsequent chapters to
argue that the bacteria and viruses are readily available and the
technology for dispersing easily learned. He discusses estimates of
potential loss of life and economic damage from a bioterrorist
attack. The second half of the book describes a hypothetical
smallpox attack on the city of Chicago. Most Americans over the age
of thirty have some recollection of smallpox vaccinations they
received as a child. The wild form of smallpox was eradicated in 1977
and the World Health Organization recommended discontinuing
vaccinations against it in 1980. The only remaining smallpox was in
laboratories in the United States and the Soviet Union. The authors
present evidence here that other countries have this agent and that
the combination of high infectivity, high lethality, and low immunity
make it lethal if dispersed by a terrorist. Living Terrors also
focuses on systems and logistics that need to be addressed. Both
antibiotics and immunizations are effective in specific situations,
but there are currently not enough doses to have much of an impact in
the event of an attack. Civil defense preparedness is also lacking.
The type of response needed for a chemical weapons release is compared
with biological weapons. Early identification of the infectious
disease is critical since many of the diseases appear to be similar to
upper respiratory infections. Quarantine and respiratory isolation of
individuals affected with smallpox is also the best initial
intervention to prevent subsequent waves of infection. The more
specific issue of containing patients in negative air pressure rooms
is contrasted with the fact that there are only 60 such rooms in the
state of Minnesota's 144 hospitals. The associated public health
issues of decreased bed capacity and physician time to devote to these
issues are discussed. One of Dr. Osterholm's recommendations involves
increasing the "slack" in the system. He points out that
for smaller disasters, such as plane crashes, the current systems are
deficient and these deficiencies would be greatly amplified in a
bioterrorist attack. Many physicians have never seen a case of small
pox or anthrax and would benefit from the appropriate training.
Appropriate training programs exist, but don't target local health
systems. The legal responses by both local officials and federal
officials as well as law enforcement are discussed. Large epidemics
are inherently disruptive to public health and law enforcement
systems. The authors point out how the different perspectives of law
enforcement and medicine (preserve the crime scene vs. do whatever is
medically necessary) can lead to non-productive and at times
embarrassing conflicts during public health emergencies. They also
discuss the current legal landscape as it applies to a large epidemic,
referencing the work of legal scholar Terry P. O'Brien. Several
problems with the current the policies about the government response
to a terrorist event are described. Dr. Osterholm ends the book
with an "eight point plan" to improve readiness in the case
of a bioterrorism attack. He encourages a realistic appraisal of the
current situation and concrete steps to improve readiness both within
the government and the medical community. This book is a compelling
read from a number of perspectives. At the level of government's
ability to address difficult problems, we find that very little seems
to be going on. Funds are targeted for the wrong purposes and local
officials seem to be waiting for federal guidance that never comes.
On another level we are introduced to terrorists that act unilaterally
and with no provocation. A situation where a random act of aggression
can become a biological catastrophe seems plausible. As a
psychiatrist, I am interested in the thinking behind terrorism
specifically what would cause a person to murder large numbers of
people. The book does not explore the consciousness of terrorists
except to suggest that there are no common threads. We are left with
the problem that it is impossible to predict the person capable of
this rare, but devastating behavior. I liked the layout of this
book. It is written to maintain the interest of the casual reader,
but also includes fairly detailed footnotes. Those footnotes cover
official documents, scholarly references, and articles in the press.
I have an interest in bioterrorism and found that the references were
more comprehensive and relevant than those I had been able to find in
the medical literature. The authors have done a service in outlining
the scope and nature of the current problem. It is up to the rest of
us to make sure something gets done about it. George Dawson, MD
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book on bioterrorism
Review: Published in 2000, this prescient book presents the authors' suggestion that the United States will inevitably be attacked with biological agents, and that not enough is being done to prepare for that eventuality. Well, a year later, the first serious bioterrorist attack was indeed launched. This book studies what agents might be used in a biological attack, how, by whom, what the U.S. government has done, and what it must do. Each chapter begins with part of a bioterrorist scenario, showing how easy and frighteningly effective a biological attack could be. Due to the fact of when the book was written, it is scathing in its review of the actions taken by the Clinton administration, but cannot comment on the bioterrorist attacks of 2001. Nonetheless, this is a fascinating book, one that I highly recommend to anyone interested in bioterrorism.
Rating:
Summary: The Case For Warning The Public Through Living Terrors
Review: The authors of "Living Terror" subtitled their book: What America Needs to Know to Survive the COMING Bioterrorist Catastrophe (emphasis mine). The fact that this book was released just before the recent terrorist attacks and anthrax attacks makes this a truly prophetic book that should not be taken lightly. I will not kid you by saying this book isn't frightening. It is. It is a massive wake-up call and it is my hope that civilians aren't the only ones reading it. I hope those in power are reading this book. In addition, it is up to you to educate yourself on what we are all up against, on what we might expect to happen over the next few months or years, and to prepare yourself. Reading this book is a matter of survival for us all. As to the writing style, it is a quick read, much like a very long magazine article. Indeed, the co-author John Schwartz is business and technology reporter for the New York Times. Read it and pass it on to friends.
Rating:
Summary: A most important book for anyone to read
Review: The topics of this book are biological ("germ") warfare, the implications of a biological attack on the USA and the policies that have (not) been put in place to deal with such an attack. The book has been very skillfully written, starting every chapter with a "short story" in which a biological act of terror unfolds, followed by hard facts. In the earlier chapters the facts concentrate on the science of infectuous disease. The latter chapters concentrate more and more on the authorities' sorry state of preparedness. The result is a work that grabs your attention whilst at the same time transferring important information without ever getting tedious. The perfect impression is rounded off in that the authors finish not on a damming note, but by discussing concrete ways forward and warning against excess fear and worry (if not concern). Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Written Before 9/11 And Anthrax Attacks
Review: This book is amazing. Dr. Osterholm has the knowledge and background in bioterror techniques to scare sense into any American. What is most remarkable is that this book was written in 2000 before the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent anthrax mail attacks. There are even quotes in the book from domestic bioterrorist suspects who threatened to send plague through the U.S. mail to their victims. You will read warnings about Osma Bin Laden and Iran, Iraq and North Korea. When you begin to realize that most of the warnings have already come true, you begin to really become concerned that the impending biorterrorist small pox attack is an inevitability rather than just a remote possibility. All concerned Americans should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but far behind the times
Review: This book presents threat scenarios, and it also presents an 8 point program. Flatly, Dr. Osterholm doesn't go NEARLY far enough. This prescription and Dr. Osterholm's exposition of threat is far behind the times. I could understand the threat exposition not presenting the leading edge, however, his 8 point program is, today, a Potemkin perimeter. False security is worse than none at all. Those physicians who think Osterholm is out there in the hype zone just don't understand what the march of science and technology is creating. Let us hope that we are so lucky as to only face a smallpox epidemic or, luckier yet, an anthrax attack. We could survive those. Understand, I absolutely do not want to see any such thing occur at any level. I am simply pointing out that in todays world the scenarios Dr. Osterholm has presented are relatively minor and his program is grossly inadequate.
Rating:
Summary: Infectious diseases Dr. response
Review: This book should be read by every public health, medical and emergency response professional throughout the world. In addition, it would sure be helpful if the media, government officials and military experts also took a crack at it. We might finally have a chance at coming up with a rational and practical response to this likely diaster. Dr. Osterholm is out there...some would say he has crossed the line with hype. Unfortunately, as an infectious disease physician, I have followed his work for the past 20 years and he has challenged us on numerous occassions with predictions that have all come true. I hope he is wrong (but I really don't think so), but if he is not, his book contains the only rational discussion of the issue of bioterrorism in print today and without a doubt the only plan for what we must do to prepare ourselves. Finally, its a book the makes sense to average citizen. I had to fight my teenage son all weekend for the only copy in our house.
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