This book begins dramatically with compelling information about the bioterrorism attack involving anthrax sent through the postal system in the United States in 2001. Holmes describes the patients' cases in great detail, combining medical descriptions (radiological and clinical pictures) with the drama of the events as they emerged. He then summarises the use of anthrax, as well as other microbes, as agents of bioterrorism and warfare agents. More generally, he discusses epidemics throughout history, both ancient and modern: during the time of Moses and the 10 great plagues of Egypt; the plague of Athens in 430 bc; the Black Death epidemic of the Middle Ages; and the development of “woolsorter's disease” (inhalational anthrax) during the industrial revolution.
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Chris Holmes
Durban House, $15.95, pp 227 ISBN 1 930754 45 0 www.durbanhouse.com
Rating: ★★★
Holmes also considers the role and life history of the great pioneers in medicine—Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur—in the discovery of the causes and pathogenesis of anthrax, tuberculosis, cholera, rabies, and other infectious diseases; the development and use of biological weapons in the 20th century by Japan and the former Soviet Union; the American biological weapons programme; the accidental anthrax epidemic at Sverdlovsk in the Ural mountains in 1979; and Saddam Hussein's development of a biological weapons programme in the 1990s and the efforts to curtail and destroy it. He concludes by reviewing the medical preparedness and preventive capability of the United States in the event of bioterrorism.
The author presents interesting theories relating to major historical events and discusses the role of plagues in these events. He correlates historical evidence with clinical and medical signs and symptoms that substantiate his conclusions. He builds up an intricate body of evidence and conclusions that add a new dimension to history. For example, he suggests that Alexander the Great was intentionally exposed to anthrax and died as a result.
A well written book, it skilfully intertwines medical, journalistic, historical, poetic, and theatrical styles. Holmes uses lay and medical terminology, and his book is suitable for reading by the general public as well as the medical community. The book is educational and entertaining.