Maybe I am just obtuse but I felt like the connection between smallpox and anthrax was extremely scant in this book. The 2001 anthrax were used as the opener for this book, but it's clear Preston really wanted to write a book about smallpox. Don't get me wrong, it's fascinating and terrifying. Intertwining the two seemed a bit shoe-horned. It's a quick read and some of the same figures from The Hot Zone make an appearance.