Reviews and Comments

It reads like a techno/medical thriller, but is the true story of the Marburg virus and its even more deadly relative, Ebola. I first read this book years ago, and remember how repulsed and frightened (and yet, unable to stop reading) I was. Just today I picked it up again and all those feelings returned.

Early in the book, the author points out thanks to modern aircraft, any virus outbreak is 24 hours from anywhere else in the world. The only small miracle (if you want to call it that) is that Ebola kills so quickly that seldom do people get that far...

Read this book. You'll never look at a monkey the same way again.

I had a mad desperation to finish this book. Carlson does an excellent job of mixing high tech with base human emotion, and reminds us that even in dire situations humans are willing to turn on each other to get what they want. The scenario is refreshingly different from the usual end-of-the-world riff. An excellent first novel.

A candid look at the life of Kevin Smith in his own words, written originally as a blog and collated together for publication. While parts are interesting (his acting roles, his friend's Jason Mewes's battle with drugs) a lot reads like a recounting of a daily life - which is the point.

A good read for fans of Mr Smith and his work, but if you don't know or don't like him, don't bother.

I originally discovered this book as an audio podcast, with Mr Sigler reading/performing the story. It hooked me from the get go, with it's interesting mix of gridiron (American football) and sci-fi. The book itself is more detailed, and is a fun read. While I had a passing interest in American football before, The Rookie's description of the fast thinking required in the game made me re-evaulate my opinion of quarterbacks.

An awesome book which I make sure I re-read at least once a year. A biting satire of politics, Australian culture and power. Also very scary, because it could all so easily come true. Highly recommended.