Panic in Level 4: Cannibals, Killer Viruses, and Other Journeys to the Edge of Science
Panic in Level 4: Cannibals, Killer Viruses, and Other Journeys to the Edge of Science Books
- ISBN13: 9781400064908
- Shape up: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Bizarre illnesses and plagues that kill people in the most unspeakable ways. Obsessive and inspired efforts by scientists to solve mysteries and save lives. From The Hot Zone to The Demon in the Freezer and beyond, Richard Preston’s bestselling works have mesmerized readers the world over by showing them weird worlds of nature they never dreamed of.
Panic in Level 4 is a grand tour through the eerie and unforgettable universe of Richard Preston, filled with incredible characters and mysteries that refuse to place one’s mind. Here are dramatic right tales from this acclaimed and award-winning author, including:
• The phenomenon of “self-cannibals,” who suffer from a rare genetic shape up caused by one incorrect letter in their DNA that forces them to compulsively chew their own flesh–and why everyone may have a touch of this disease.
• The search for the unknown host of Ebola virus, an organism hidden somewhere in African rain forests, where the disease finds its way into the human species, causing outbreaks of unparalleled horror.
• The brilliant Russian brothers–“one mathematician divided between two bodies”–who built a supercomputer in their apartment from mail-order parts in an attempt to find hidden order in the number pi (?).
In fascinating, intimate, and exhilarating detail, Richard Preston describes the frightening forces and constructive discoveries that are now roiling and reordering our world, once again proving himself a master of the nonfiction narrative and, as noted in The Washington Post, “a science novelist with an uncommon gift for turning complex biology into riveting page-turners.”
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I was excited to read this book, which was highly not compulsory to me by a supporter. But, even as I was able to plod through a few sections, this says nothing about the author’s writing skills but rather goes to show that, no matter how horrible the writing is, fascinating material is fascinating material. If you like to read books written entirely in small, stilted sentences with no narrative flow, read this book. Otherwise – don’t.
Rating: 1 / 5
The Hot Zone’ was an exceptional book and so ‘Panic in Level 4′ sounded very promising at first. The book is a collection of writings Mr. Preston did over a period of a few years. Only a link of them refer to the terrible viral outbreaks, such as the African Ebola. I wasn’t to fond of reading about the self-cannibalization disorder, it seemed to depressing. I urge ‘Demon In The Freezer’, much more engaging read.
Rating: 3 / 5
Panic in Level 4: Cannibals, Killer Viruses, and Other Journeys to the Edge of Science
This book is wonderful as it delves into the 2 mathmeticians who claim to be 1 mathmetician in 2 seperate bodies, the people born with self Cannibalism syndrome and we get to see their humanity. I loved it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Preston starts by taking a “tour” into the Level 4 labs at the Army Research Institute for Infectious Diseases. Readers learn both of the incredibly dangers posed by some of the diseases being researched there, and the precautions taken to preclude their infecting anyone.
The first chapter tells the rather frustrating tale of two Russian mathematics PhDs who built their own supercomputer for $70,000 in one of their N.Y.C. apartments. They are determined to estimate pi to a detail level greater than anyone else. Archimedes made an early effort (concluded it was between 3 10/71 and 3 1/7), ultimately followed by the ENIAC computer in 1949 (2,037 places), then 200 million places by a large IBM computer in the late 1980s, and ultimately 2.26 billion by the Russian brothers, beating out others using million+ supercomputers by Hitachi and Cray.
Another chapter starts with tracing an African Ebola outbreak to Patient Zero – a 42-year-ancient self-employed charcoal maker who also tended a link of maize fields carved out of the forest. After arriving home one day he started bleeding, was taken to the sickbay, and died soon after. Then three members of his family, followed by ten more of his extended family. Next it spread to other patients and then staff at the town’s two hospitals.
A few doctors and nurses demonstrated incredible courage by staying with their Ebola patients, knowing death was the likely outcome for themselves. Opportunely, some survived. The “excellent news” is that after townspeople fled the hospitals the outbreak stopped.
Scientists then trapped a large variety of animals and insects in the area looking for carriers – nothing was found. (A much smaller outbreak two months prior in the Ivory Coast was linked to wild chimps, though it was not learned how they obtained the virus – fatal to them as well.)
Another horror tale caught up several young Americans with a genetic disorder that caused them to be especially charming, yet also chew off the tips of their fingers, attempt to harm those they liked, and then apologize profusely. Preston’s interviewees included the leading researcher in the area, and a patient.
Rating: 4 / 5
I was pretty disapointed with this book. I really loved some of Preston’s novels but this one jumped nearly to much. I did not like the fact that this book was made up of 6 tales. Though each tale was fascinating, the book skipped nearly to much and was at times too repetitive.
Rating: 2 / 5