Biohazard: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World-...
In this fast-paced memoir, Ken Alibek combines cutting-edge science with the narrative techniques of a thriller to describe some of the most awful ...
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reviews
Jan 28, 2010
Brian
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I would estimate that I accept about 80% of what Kanatjan Alibekov describes in this book as truthful and factual. The most frightening aspects about the horrible pathogens he helped develop in the Soviet Union's bioweapons program are in fact quite believable. What I don't quite accept are Alibekov's explanations for his involvement in the program.
He suggests that he initially had misgivings about developing biological weapons at the start of his career. He quickly forgot those c More...
He suggests that he initially had misgivings about developing biological weapons at the start of his career. He quickly forgot those c More...
Aug 26, 2011
Adderly.AC5
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What Kanatjan Alibekov describes in this book as truthful and factual. The only thing i dislike is that he helped the Ussr with this project and some of what he say might not be the truth. Although Alibekov had a good part in a way to this project i didnt like the reason that he gives for being involved. I dont want to spoil it for those who havent read it ,but the disease these bio wepons were made to spread were some of the worst(small pox). The thing i really did like about the book though i
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Oct 03, 2011
S.G.
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I decided to try this book years back to broaden my horizons. I was pleasantly surprised! I ended up loving this book! There was no fiction - all non-fiction! Probably, one of the few non-fictions I've thoroughly enjoyed. It is such an eye-opener with regards the cold war and the international competition between Russia and US - but that isn't the half of the story. You really feel you walk along with Alibek as he mixed the biochemicals set to be unleashed on America.
Jan 20, 2011
Apd
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Читал русскую версию. Крайне интересная и отлично написанная книга про разработку биологического оружия в СССР. Автор - один из руководителей программы.
Oct 14, 2009
George
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The whole books is questionable. You either believe everything K.Alibek say or you don't. The book requires also blind faith in the good character of the author. Interesting read, however as a scientist it's hard for me to just bye into everything.
Dec 05, 2007
Rebecca
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I'll admit: I would have given this book 3 stars, a more-than-average rating, if after I read it in 2005 i had not proceeded to endure lecture after lecture by Alibek, giving me the distinct impression that he is masterful at inflating his contributions and mental acuity and distancing himself from any culpability for developing the Soviet offensive BW program. One also gets the impression that the whole truth is not (and may never) be told. The story is well laid-out, however, and is a good b
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Dec 01, 2010
Ryan
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Good read. Ken is the nicest guy you will ever meet. He gave us our copy and after reading it, I found it amazing that this guy could be so humble. Very detailed and interesting book.
Apr 04, 2008
Joanna
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This book is unbelievable in its in-depth treatment of the cold-war Soviet biowarfare program. The sheer scale of the mass-production of various agents (Plague, Smallpox, Anthrax, Marburg, and Ebola, among others) and the means developed for dispersing them in catastrophic amounts is enough to give one goosebumps (hence "The Chilling True Story," I suppose. (Not to mention that we're not quite sure just where all of those stocks and the scientists who worked with them are located now
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Aug 24, 2010
Diane
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Super sobering and scary, Russian scientists with stockpiles of smallpox, and its only slightly soporific.
Oct 22, 2010
Kristen
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A chilling account of how lucky we were not to have biological catastrophes in the US during the Cold War. The book, written by a Soviet scientist living in exile in the US, was decidedly anti-Soviet and pro-American. But it was still terrifying to see the extent of biological weapons programs and the potential for careless mistakes that would have been extremely costly or the destruction of entire populations from germ warfare.
Note that the author is actually Ken Alibek, not Steph More...
Note that the author is actually Ken Alibek, not Steph More...
Oct 01, 2011
Ryan
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Parts of this book were very interesting, but some sections were also incredibly boring and hard to get through. Way more than I wanted to know about the Soviet Union bueracracy - that's what really bogged this book down for me. Unbelievable, though, how advanced their bioweapons program was! Really sobbering to think, even in my lifetime, they were (or had!) been able to weaponize lethal pathogens like Marburg virus. I would liked this book much more if was about half as long.
Sep 07, 2007
Nick
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The story of a Kazakh doctor who spends career developing bioweapons before defecting to the United States after the Soviet Union fell apart. Found some of it very interesting, especially his stories of accidents, the Soviet program to arm ICBMs with bioweapons, his genuine surprise to learn that the US did not have an offensive bioweapons program similar to the Soviet's, and Soviet bureaucratic politics.
Dec 31, 2009
Daniel
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This is a an extremely detailed account of the inner workings of Russia's BW Program (Biopreparat) during the Cold War. After you read this it really puts your mortality into perspective. Sometimes fact is scarier than fiction!
Aug 22, 2008
Robert
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A rather depressing insight into just how screwed up a species we are. Afraid of deadly biological agents? I sure bet some enterprising bioweapons scientists could make them a whole lot worse.
Nov 13, 2008
tgrantl
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The true story of the biggest cold war threat to the West... biological warfare. This book will make you want to wash your hands with the ferocity of a surgical intern.
Mar 24, 2008
Rob
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As scary as it can be. True story about weaponizing smallpox during the Cold War, written by the the USSR's leading researcher working on it at the time.
Feb 01, 2008
Alexis
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HOLY BLOODY MONKEY...one of the scariest books I've read because of all the accidents that occurred. Biological accidents... =O
Jun 22, 2008
Jocelyn
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If ever you wanted to know about how bioterrorism started in the 80's...this book is fascinating and terrifying
Mar 08, 2008
James M.
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A fascinating account by Ken Alibek of his role in the development of biowarfare agents in Russia.
Feb 20, 2008
Danielle
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Good non-fiction, makes you really wonder about the truth behind some of the governmental conspiracies.
Feb 12, 2012
