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grimmauxillatrix's review against another edition
2.5
The good: the writing is still dramatic and interesting. It's a gripping, well-paced book that compelled me to finish it even though a lot of the information contained within is at best exaggerated, and at worst completely incorrect thanks to continuing advances in medical science.
The bad: this book did for epidemiology what Jaws did for sharks; that is, incited panic and fear about disease that has done far more harm than good to society. The 2014 Ebola outbreak surprised many of us who'd grown up in terror of the supernatural powers of the disease: it turns out that the disease didn't turn people into exploding blood zombies. The outbreak wasn't the end of the world. Ebola is a virulent and deadly disease, but understanding it is key to fighting it, and understanding, rather than treating it as a mysterious unknown, reduces fear and allows for action.
The ugly: this book singlehandedly turned Africa into a disease ridden dark continent for an entire generation. The colonialist tones are unmistakable, with the various African peoples treated more like part of the backdrop than people with agency. Disease is around every corner, and so dangerous to the civilized white man that they can only journey there in a "level four space suit". Calling the Kinshasa highway the AIDS highway and blaming the spread of the disease on the people who live and travel there is disingenuous and counterproductive to both helping the people of Africa rise up, and to continuing disease research.
The portions taking place in America are steeped in 90s typical sexism, even though it primarily discusses Army personnel. Though not nearly as egregious as the white man's burden colonial mindset in the African portions, it still rubs the wrong way.
Overall, this is a well written but bad book that should be forgotten.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, Violence, Excrement, and Murder
kristasorocks's review against another edition
1.75
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Vomit, and Medical content
Minor: Sexism and Excrement
reading_under_covers's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death and Medical content
archer3's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Excrement and Vomit
Minor: Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
phantomgecko's review against another edition
3.0
The military acting with little to no oversight and the author being in favor of it was a cool feature (derogatory).
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, and Medical content
a_wren_that_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexism
mondovertigo's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent
kelsyalexandra's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Excrement and Vomit
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
mousey's review against another edition
5.0
This book is also devastatingly sad. You will cry, you will mourn for the people and animals who’s stories are told. The Hot Zone makes a really human connection with the reader, and it ensures that you stay interested in the fast paced novel.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy