Panic in Level 4 - by Richard Preston (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In these engrossing case studies, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hot Zone reports back from some of the most exotic, frightening, and exhilarating frontiers of science

"Darkly fascinating . . . sure to please science fanatics, or anyone else obsessed with nature's murkier mysteries."--Newsweek

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 leave one's mind. Here are dramatic true stories from this acclaimed and award-winning author, including

- the phenomenon of "self-cannibals," who suffer from a rare genetic condition caused by one wrong 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 exhilarating detail, Preston portrays the frightening forces and constructive discoveries that are currently roiling and reordering our world, once again proving himself a master of the nonfiction narrative.

Review Quotes

"Compelling . . . stories of high scientific adventure."--Seattle Times

"[Preston's] stories sparkle with images of stark beauty and darkness; mature reflections about the complex worlds we all occupy."--Denver Post

"With his 1994 sensation The Hot Zone, science writer Richard Preston terrified millions. . . . In his new book, Panic in Level 4, he continues to probe nature's stranger side."--USA Today

About the Author

Richard Preston is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including The Hot Zone, Crisis in the Red Zone, The Wild Trees, The Demon in the Freezer, and Panic in Level 4. Preston has taught nonfiction writing at Princeton University and the University of Iowa, and he is the recipient of many prizes and honors, including the Champion of Prevention Award of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. His books have been published in more than thirty languages.