This book has been hyped to death (no pun intended) and rightfully so: it was written BEFORE the terrorist attacks and Anthrax cases and is guarenteed to chill your spine -- and maybe haunt your dreams. The bottom line: for years (until 9/11) most Americans had no idea that behind the scenes horrific weapons were being developed that could potentially wipe out an entire country and that if these weapons did not work as expected the whole even world could be at risk. And, worse, that as unpredictable as nations might be, terrorists are far more unpredictable -- and these weapons could easily fall into their hands or be made by them.Ironically, the original run of this book was reportedly modest, but in the aftermath of Sept. 11 it shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list -- and again for GOOD REASON: it is the most "accessible" of the germ warefare books.Germs is a masterful work: full of blow-by-blow detail on the various "germs" (biological, chemical) and the lies and deceit practiced by ALL countries that worked on these unspeakable weapons(lies and deceit aimed at other countries and their own populaces). It's a book that you MUST read, or gift or lend.REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: 1)It shows how various countries including the US secretly worked on biological/chemical warefare weapons for defense purposes through the years. To it's credit, the US got mostly out of the germ warefare biz...but Sadaam's preoccupation with weapons of mass destruction forced the US back in. 2)It shows how the Soviet Union misled the US just as badly as Iraq's dictator did. 3)It goes into stark detail on how deadly these weapons are and how easy it would be for terrorists to develop and use them..and get their desired deadly results. 4)At times it resembles a kind of scientific MYSTERY or THRILLER: it's a whosedoing it with an easy-to-read narrative style. 5)It outlines how researchers discovered precisely who is working on what and what it means -- and does it with a journalistic approach: quotes, facts, but a story with a beginning a middle and an all too possbily frightening end. 6)It is in itself a STRONG argument for eventual military action against Iraq: Sadaam remains the lingering threat, according to the authors. 7)It sets off the alarm -- but leaves room for hope.WHY YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS BOOK: 1)If you're looking for a research document this won't be for you since it is a journalistic work. 2)If you're looking for a pure recitation of each kind of threat and what it means that is probably another book; the info is there but it is woven into the overall theme. 3)If you're looking for a book that says we are just a minute away from buying the farm, this isn't for you -- but you will get a sinking feeling at the horrorific threats out there.Above all: this book was NOT written to capitalize on the present climate...it was written BEFORE the recent tragic events, which makes its well-delivered message even more compelling and credible.