The Invisible Invaders: Viruses and the Scientists Who Pursue Them [Paperback]

Peter Radetsky (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0316732176 | ISBN-13: 978-0316732178 | Publication Date: March 1995

Takes the reader inside the high-stakes world of viral research - the frontline in the war against colds, influenza and AIDS. With the latest findings on HIV, this book should appeal to anyone interested in cutting-edge medical and genetic research.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (P) (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316732176
• ISBN-13: 978-0316732178
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful and informative!, August 1, 1999

By 

Laura Matheny (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Invisible Invaders: Viruses and the Scientists Who Pursue Them (Paperback)

With the increased interest in viruses in the popular culture, this book should be at the top of anyone's virus reading list. It is a wonderful introduction to the history of virus research and provides useful information about viruses themselves. Even if you took biology or genetics courses in school, this book is a handy reminder of how viruses work. I recommend this to anyone interested in emerging diseases.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Researcher ! That is what I wannabe !, January 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invisible Invaders: Viruses and the Scientists Who Pursue Them (Paperback)

As a 36-year old, I am a grown up. But now and then I long for the days that I was 8 years old and could be absolutely mesmerized by a book.I read a book about archeology and, although it was not very well-written, for years I wanted to cross deserts and jungles in search of treasures. This feeling of discovery of something new, something a bit eerie but exciting was back when I read this terrific book about the battle against viruses.It is highly informative but still makes you long for being a man in a laboratory yourself. Radetsky should also try to write fiction. He will be goood at it !

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of the Emerging Age of Viruses, April 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invisible Invaders: Viruses and the Scientists Who Pursue Them (Paperback)

When we hear talk about viruses "emerging", we have to step back and realize that these viruses are mostly emerging in our own consciousness of them. Smallpox was around for centuries, before we developed the technology to "see" the virus with a high-powered microscope. This book chronicles the history of mankind's "discovery" of the world of viruses, from the time Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine till the present. The drama unfolds as we get to know the scientists responsible for the discoveries, and their efforts to produce successful vaccines against some of the plagues of the day: Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Smallpox, Rabies, Polio, the Common Cold, AIDS, Epstein-Barr, Influenza, Hepatitis, Herpes, and Cancer are the featured performers here. One of the most interesting things I learned was how a person who gets hepatitis, is at an increased risk for developing other liver problems, like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The recent death of Allen Ginsberg is a poignant demonstration of this. Equally intreguing are the connections between Epstein-Barr, CFS, Burkitt's lymphoma, mononucleosis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma; according to researchers: "the Epstein-Barr virus is the foremost candidate for being the first known human cancer virus." It is a fascinating and educational story.