Virus Hunter: Thirty Years of Battling
Hot Viruses Around the World by C.
J. Peters
Pete The Great
Books such as Richard Prestons The Hot Zone thrust the deadly Ebola
virus into the spotlight, but they cant match the first-person perspective of
Virus Hunter. Author C. J. Peters is an ex-army colonel who has spent his
professional life studying deadly pathogens in the lab and in the wild. He
spins a drama- and adrenaline-filled true tale of virus hunters, which is
gripping despite its occasional tendency to grow verbose and detour into
personal history. Peters offers a look at crippling diseases not only
through the eyes of a scientist, but also with the perspective of an insider
in the defense establishment, painting a chilling picture of the potential of
biological terrorism or outright warfare.
Personal Review: Virus Hunter: Thirty Years of Battling Hot
Viruses Around the World by C. J. Peters
I decided to read more about C.J. Peters after I concluded The Hot Zone;
finding myself infatuated with this semi-mysterious, tropical-shirt wearing
military officer and virus researcher. I was fascinated by this man whose
experience and research will and has changed history.
Despite the unmatched experience, education and brillance of C.J. Peters
intellect, I found the tone of this book suprisingly "down to earth" Peters is
clearly a scientist who an experienced mentor. I sensed he does not see
how extraordinary his life is; only that he is aware he is a man who has
pursued his passion.
Having recently read both The Hot Zone (marburg), and Preston's Demon
in The Freezer (smallpox), I felt I comprehended the power of airborne
virus'. What I gained from Virus Hunter was just how much research, time
and passion it takes for scientists to learn about these diseases. The
intensity of virus research and trying to save human lives makes for an
extraordinary read, particulary from the first hand accounts of a true virus
hunter (I found his character truly translates to an Indiana Jones of the viral
world...pursuing his subject deep into Brazil, the Sudan, and Virginia...)
Peters shares experiences including communication attempts with people
around the world, and a need to relate to their lives. He wrote of
adventures trying to reach rural locations in South America. He also

respectfully recounts the stories of other scientists who succumbed to
virus' illness, and the need for the research community to see these deaths
as something to hold in mind while seeking a cure. Clearly attaching
specific individuals (whether lab researchers, or individual unnamed
patients who he watched die) as representatives of why cures MUST be
found.
The only lull in this book is about 3/4 though the early chapter about the
Four Corners outbreak, the initial story was intiguing (and as you will see
ties distinctly into the entire theme of the book), however, it did drag. This
was the ONLY slow part of this book. The rest was amazing.
C.J. Peters is the kind of scientist you want to sit, and UNDERSTAND
what he sees and learns. He can easily communicate with the average
person, and with those at the highest level in military and intellectual
leaders. I so wish I had such a passionate scientist who has as much
respect for women biologists as men; a scientist whose infectious (pun
intended) passion raises everyone sense of curiousity about the subject he
teaches. I believe more educators with his passion would produce more
passionate scientist, and people willing to take on the overwhelming
accomplishment of achieving a biology degree at University.
I would strongly, strongly recommend this book to anyone with any sort of
interest in biology, disease, virus, or just anyone who enjoys a terrific
adventure.
The sharing of his personal details, and the mating habits of top scientists
(they date among their own kind...) added a true depth to his storyline.
I found this book utterly brilliant. The clear message is everyone must be
aware of the dangers of viral disease, the serious nature of these illness'
which are not classified as bacteria...nor parasitic. Also, the tight budgets
created for medical research are truly a danger to the future of our health
and those of developing nations.
While I was eating dinner the other night, I was deep in Virus Hunter,
reading the descriptive details of what Ebola does to the human body. The
thought suddenly struck me...I am eating and reading about subcutaneous
hemorrhaging without even a blink...
Now THAT is a good book!
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