Don't bother with this book unless you enjoy being talked down to by a condescending physician. He treats the readers as if they are imbeciles. The quality of the writing and research is abominable, and it is obvious that the author is just trying to make a buck off book sales. If you want the facts about avian influenza, don't read this. You won't find any facts or advice here.

Dr. Marc Siegel's book delivers what has been sorely missing in the discussion of bird flu--a balanced, reasonable, and objective view of this possible threat to our health. Dr. Siegel carefully explains that calls for alarm are not appropriate based on current scientific knowledge and only serve to raise the fear level. At the same time he outlines steps such as upgrading vaccine manufacture and government responsiveness in case a real threat materializes. His basic advice which is to eat smart, exercise, and reduce anxiety, will likely help all of us to live longer. This highly readable and informative book is really "everything you need to know" about this subject.

Siegel believes that it is not likely that the bird flu will mutate to human form, and that even if it does, it will be less lethal than currently. In addition, generally unreported evidence from Hong Kong (about 16% of those tested had antibodies to the H5N1 virus) indicates it is less virulent than believed.

Siegel also suggests looking at the downward trend in U.S. flu pandemic deaths - about 500,000 in the 1918 Spanish Flu, 70,000 in the 1957 Asian Flu pandemic, and 34,000 during the 1968 Hong Kong Flu. He attributes this to improved sanitation and the use of pneumonia vaccines (pneumonia causing about half the deaths attributed to flu). Finally, he also points out that cooking poultry kills 100% of the flu virus.

The greatest problem with the avian flu, according to Siegel, is our tendency to panic and over-react. He does not recommend that citizens stockpile Tamiflu because it is expensive, only has about a three-year shelf life, and most citizens would probably waste it because they wouldn't know when to properly use it.

Siegel's "Bottom-Line:" We should be focusing more on the pandemic we already have - AIDS/HIV.

The spread of a lethal strain of bird flu in the past two years has sparked fears of a new pandemic. In Bird Flu, Dr. Marc Siegel looks through the facts, the fears, and the realities to explain what has the experts so worried and why there's still plenty of reason to be calm. Regardless of whether a bird flu outbreak will occur this year in the United States, there's still plenty of work to be done in preparing America for outbreaks of any kind.

Superb. Dr. Marc Siegel's book "Bird Flu" portrays a concise, realistic and informative outlook on a media bred epidemic: fear and anxiety. Certainly an epidemic from bird flu is possible, I know of no one who disagrees. One, however, needs not confuse the terms possibility with probability. The irrational belief that the bird flu virus has a greater chance of mutating to humans in opposition to the thousands of other viruses currently in existence is unfounded. Certainly we should not remain naïve of such possibilities but we also need to take into consideration the probability of an epidemic from one particular virus that has yet to master the chain of specific mutations it would need in order to become pandemic. Even if this virus mutated to infect humans on a large scale, who is to say that its virility and potential deadly effects would also not alter and wither. If we resort to stockpiling antidotes to this one particular virus, must we then stockpile antidotes for every other potential viral metamorphosis? It is not only impossible to achieve, it is also illogical to think that we should. More research to develop means of developing appropriate vaccines quickly as well as global containment preparedness would be better served. To Dr. Siegel I say "BRAVO" and I hope that you continue educating your readers with such rational approaches.

Unlike the last reviewer, who seems to see danger lurking in every adverse event, I like Dr. Siegel's approach that indicates a pandemic is not created by easily occurring events. In reality, several steps must occur before a pandemic could develop. That these steps would all actually occur should not be assumed.

Dr. Siegel does a good job in presenting a balanced appraisal of the risk; it does a disservice to this enlightened voice when a reviewer clearly seems not to have read the entire book.

If all medical pundits were as knowledgeable and well reasoned as Dr. Siegel, there might be far less alarm, less fear-mongering, and therefore less profit in medical books -- but there might be more genuinely helpful information for those of us who need to know.

Having read other books by Marc Siegel, MD, beginning with his first novel Bellevue I am completely comfortable with a topic such as Bird Flu as explained by the author.

Marc Siegel has managed to allow reason without hysteria, explaining how he feels that there are several steps before Bird Flu could happen. Yes, the author expresses that a pandemic most likely will happen, but in the same breath tells us that there are steps we can take which are simply not to be assumed. In his explanation, I as a layman found it not as frightening and much more factual than listening to the News on TV or reading about it in a newspaper.

I especially found it fascinating that Bird Flu probably existed in 1918; 88 years to come to the surface again.

Through Marc Siegel's style as in all his books there is an entertaining quality, which allows a layman as myself to absorb his writing, and not be blocked by the fear of the topic. He is clear, with reason and most of all logical in that we must have a plan for the eventuality of Bird Flu. The fact that Marc Siegel is able to show both sides,and emphasizes that we must have a plan for it, allows me to strongly recommend this book to all individuals. You will find it geared toward the professionals in the field of medicine, but equally important for the average layman.

Book reviewers who say Dr. Siegel's book makes light of the danger of bird flu should go back to school to learn how to read a book critically.

The book does not say a pandemic won't happen; it says that there are several steps before it could happen and that a pandemic should not simply be assumed. Dr. Siegel is not for stockpiling because by the time the virus hits (if it hits) it will have gone through several mutations such that current vaccines like Tamiflu may not protect against the new strain. In addition, stockpiled vaccine may be past it's shelf life.

Siegel's book has the opposite of a laid back approach to the possibility of a pandemic. It is for preparedness. It is not for hysteria. The book calls for updated techniques for vaccine research and for increased surge capacity of hospitals, to name a few of the book's suggestions for preparedness.

This book helps readers 1) put bird flu in perspective, 2) evaluate choices lawmakers and health professionals face in getting ready for any pandemic and public health crisis, 3) learn how to protect ourselves by recognizing that living in constant fear of a pandemic limits our emotional, intellectual, and physical abilities to evaluate and respond to a crisis should it occur.

Unlike the last reviewer, who seems to see danger lurking in every adverse event, I like Dr. Siegel's approach that indicates a pandemic is not created by easily occurring events. In reality, several steps must occur before a pandemic could develop. That these steps would all actually occur should not be assumed.

Dr. Siegel does a good job in presenting a balanced appraisal of the risk; it does a disservice to this enlightened voice when a reviewer clearly seems not to have read the entire book.

If all medical pundits were as knowledgeable and well reasoned as Dr. Siegel, there might be far less alarm, less fear-mongering, and therefore less profit in medical books -- but there might be more genuinely helpful information for those of us who need to know.

Marc Siegel, MD does not believe there will be a bird flu pandemic. On page 18 he says, "I do not think a massive bird flu pandemic that kills many millions of people worldwide is about to happen..." He then explains all the reasons why a major epidemic is unlikely to strike. He goes further to say, "Currently fear of bird flu is much more a human problem than bird flu itself." In fact, he devotes a whole chapter to the issue of fear and how to deal with it in your life.

Essentially, Siegel's take on the "Asian avian flu", strain H5N1, is this:

1. There is nothing to worry about yet. And it is unlikely that there will be anything to worry about in the future. Even if the flu virus mutates, scientists and modern medicine will address it when the time comes.
2. The Bird Flu hysteria will likely go the way of other epidemic scares: SARS, AIDS, West Nile, Lyme disease, etc.
3. Physicians are the best ones to handle treatment issues for the masses, no need to stockpile remedies like Tamiflu, Renzala, or other remedies.
4. The government is the best agent to distribute vaccines, when and if they become available.
5. This is much ado about nothing, by and large. The best thing people can do for a long and healthy life is to eat sensibly and exercise regularly.

I wonder if the families of the two hundred dead victims of Bird Flu virus H5N1 would agree. It seems to me there is something more ominous here than just another influenza strain. This one kills half of the people who get it in a matter of a few days.

I suspect the proper response to the Bird Flu lies somewhere between hysteria and denial. This book, "Bird Flu: Everything you need to know about the next pandemic" stakes out the position firmly with the latter. Don't worry, be happy.

Let's hope Siegel is right. But if he isn't...

As a medical research scientist, I can say beyond a doubt that a flu pandemic is brewing that may change modern civilization in ways that will go beyond our wildest imagination soon. Physicians are observing the creation of a super strain of the avian influenza virus, H5N1, so-called bird flu, that has the potential to kill millions of men, women, and children in every nation -- not to mention destroy our food supply and the transportation systems they employ.

According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a recipe for disaster is clearly in the early genetic-mixing stage. We stand on the abyss of a global wildfire event that will start with the flick of a "viral" matchstick, burn everything in its path, leaving civil disorder and misery in its aftermath on an unprecedented-scale. But what can we do other than prepare ourselves for the inevitable death of our society as we know it? Other than prudent safety precautions, we can also boost our immune systems psychologically against the true number one killer: s-t-r-e-s-s.

Just look at what happened to millions of people impacted by natural disasters in the past year alone from earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis worldwide: They are suffering from PTSD--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Guess what stress does to your ability to fight bacterial and viral infections? Do you know that when a pandemic strikes within 30-days 100% of the population will be exposed to the virus, but that only 50% will get ill? Did you know that a pandemic comes in 3 phases with the second being the most deadly? Did you know that the most susceptible age group when the virus "hits" is not the young or the old, but the tender-age group 20 to 30? In plain terms, this book will give you the rest of the story; how nature ensures the "survival of the smartest!" Indeed information is power and it will make the difference between life and death in the coming pandemics!

So get smart and raise your I.Q.: "immunity quotient!"

Dr. John Jay Harper is executive director of the not-for-profit, American Delphi Academy, Spokane, Washington, author of Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century, and a bird flu report website at johnjayharper.com

For Americans, with yet another media hyped event the responses run the gamut from feigned interest to outright hysteria. Without a hint of pretense, our system has once again failed us and for all intents and purposes, we are left to our own devices. This 'dance with the one that brung ya' mentality needs to be altered to a seemingly unattainable level of proper preparation, respect, and optimism. Civility and acquiescence of the status quo is simply not acceptable and an option not subscribed to by Dr. Siegel. He advocates preperatory means, but universally applicable to all scenarios through temperance and composure. Avian Flu is yet unfortunately another conduit for our mental scenarios and phobias. Calming and accurate reporting is exactly the prescription this book fills. It seems we are consistently behind the learning curve in reference to proactive measures. Vaccinations rather than vacuity would seem to be the call for the day. Let us combine our efforts in order to continue to live our lives with a bit more information and keeping all things in their true perspective. A wonderful addition to your collections and your reactions.

As "bd" points out, in response to an earlier review, Dr. Siegel does advocate having emergency supplies of food and water. It is also important to note that he discourages labelling them as "for bird flu use", because to do so would increase panic.

I think Dr. Siegel has taken a very rational view of the likelihood of an avian flu epidemic and I always like to read his books because of the way he interprets and understands the factual issues. Sure, there may be a spread of bird flu, but it's not very likely and he encourages people to be aware of the possibility but not go into hiding to avoid it. He does agree s that it might be a good idea in general to have emergency supplies of food and water around but in an method of downplaying any fear attached to avian flue, not not label them for bird flu use, because that gives these supplies too much prominence.
I have heard Dr. Siegel many times on radio and seen him on TV and have always been impressed by his command of information and his logical conclusions.

terrific book- well organized and gives a range of information from the detailsof personal experience to the wider world view

Dr. Siegel, in this book and in his many articles in the popular press and media appearances, takes the line that people are TOO AFRAID of the possibility of an influenza pandemic. There may be a few such people, but on the contrary, almost all of those who encounter his viewpoints are NOT AFRAID ENOUGH to take the precautions they ought to. Reading this book will reinforce their complacency.

Here's a quote from page 18 of his book:

Should I prepare emergency supplies
of food and water just in case?

Absolutely not. We've been asking one another this question
ever since experts told us that the year 2000 bug in
our computers would shut down communications and
banking nationwide.
Sinister things scare us out of proportion to their
actual risk of affecting us, and we respond, quite naturally,
by wanting to be afraid. But bird flu can be seen as
one in a long line of things we've been warned about, and
for which we supposedly need some kind of "safe room"
with an ample supply of food and water just in case.
[end of quote]

Three comments about this passage:

1)It gives the "year 2000 bug" as an example of an unfounded fear. Does Dr. Siegel realize that many computer professionals worked long and hard, and many companies spent millions of dollars, to prevent the Y2K meltdown from happening, as it certainly would have if the mitigation efforts had not been successful?

2)It conflicts with the advice of the U.S. government, which states, at their "Individuals and Families Planning" page at www.pandemicflu.gov, "Stock a supply of water and food. During a pandemic you may not be able to get to a store. Even if you can get to a store, it may be out of supplies. Public waterworks services may also be interrupted. Stocking supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters."

3)It even conflicts with what Siegel says on his page 37, "In the United States, we are dependent on other societies for many of our major products. In the event of a major pandemic, we might be cut off, so our government needs to improve on its domestic supply of essential goods, from food to energy to medicine."

Siegel seems not to realize that under major pandemic conditions, domestic as well as international commerce would be impaired, with absenteeism and illness resulting in shortage of workers for many essential tasks. Supply chain disruptions (for every sort of commerce) and insufficient surge capacity (for the medical care system) are possibilities that need to be planned for. Siegel seems blissfully unaware of these dangers.

With regard to previous reviewers, who state that Siegel is in favor of stockpiling food, water, flashlights and batteries (but only if you DON'T call them "pandemic preparations"), I'd like to see citations for those claims. My use of Amazon's book searching capacities for these topics in this book came up empty.

David Jodrey, Ph.D.

I've only read the first chapter of this book. In it, however, Dr. Siegel says something which is so completely wrong that it is not necessary for me (or anyone) to read the rest of it.
He specifically recommends AGAINST having food and water on hand "just in case" - "certainly not", he says. As this is a useful precaution not only for a pandemic, for for any number of
other possible problems, it is clear that anyone who follows his advice is putting themselves in unnecessary danger. Not recommended.

David Jodrey, Ph.D.

What a relief! Finally a book that tells the truth about what we should and should NOT be worried about when it comes to Bird Flu. With "experts" running amok in the media with exaggerations and outright lies, Dr. Siegel offers a reassuring and realistic check on what's TRUE about Bird Flu... and (most importantly) what's not.

And a quick response to another review - Dr. Siegel actually DOES recommend storing emergency supplies of food and water (as well as flashlights and batteries) - but he does so because it's prudent for everyone to have these things on hand for any emergency, NOT because a bird flu pandemic is "imminent".

Dr. Siegel's new book, Bird Flu, is a careful mixture of history and personal story, of birds and people. This balanced portrayal tracks avian influenza throughout history and in recent times, man's attempts to cope with it. Dr. Siegel has lengthy interviews with the top avian flu experts in the world, and he weighs the pandemic risks of the current H5N1 bird flu that is currently receiving so much attention. He tells us how to prepare, but also how not to overreact. This terrific book is very informative interesting reading.

Before you rush out to harrass your doctor for a Tamiflu script, sit down and get acquainted with the facts. This book can help you get your H5N1 ducks in a row. Dr. Marc Siegal cuts through the media-induced nonsense with a laser scalpel and excises only the facts for us. Fewer than a hundred people have died from Avian Flu since January 2004, yet more than 600 people die every single day from AIDS in Africa. Avain Flu is like "Missing White Girl Syndrome" for the rest of us (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_Pretty_Girl_Syndrome).

In the US, more people have been shot by Dick Cheney than have contracted Avian Flu. Yes, we are all going to die, but not from H5N1. Thank you Dr. Siegal for standing up to Group Think, Herd Mentality, and thoughtless reactionism.

Bird Flu, Bird Flu, Bird Flu. What to do?

Currently, the latest and most popular medical "crisis" of the day is, of course, that we are all going to get Bird Flu. Yet, we really don't know much, if anything, about this disease. Another media, political, pharmacological and social " blitzkrieg" is upon us.
What are we to do? How dangerous is it? How likely is it? Will there be another 1918 pandemic? On and on it goes. Fear without facts, is, as Dr. Marc Siegel has pointed out in his previous book "False Alarm" can be worse than the disease itself.
His current book "Bird Flu" takes on these (and many other) questions about our latest "bug". The facts, (and the fancies) are cogently presented; the real risks analysed; what we should and should not do; and, most importantly, how to deal rationally with our fears.
This book is timely, excellent and important. Read it!

Howard Williams, M.D.

I read this book when it was first available, and didn't feel the need to write this until I say the truly bird-brained review, under the name "bird brain," that appeared since then. It is shocking that someone would take a swipe at this book without having any idea what it says. It is clear that "bird brain" didn't read the book, because, for instance, "bird brain" criticizes the book and the author for being against increased government stockpiles of Tamiflu - but the book is in favor increased government stockpiles!!
Moreover, any reader will easily appreciate the history, science and technology which have informed Dr. Siegel; whereas the "bird brain" represents the saddest form of opinionated pundit - someone who feels the need to trash a fine work without even knowing what it says, and getting it all wrong.
As someone who has read the book (and from the other reviews I am obviously not alone) I found the book to be easy-to-read and surprisingly entertaining. Dr. Siegel explains the seriousness of flu pandemic clearly, and why the subject gets so much attention in light of the appearance and spread of H5N1 in recent years. The explanations are direct, understandable, jargon-free and also free of hyperbole. Information and understanding have allowed me to understand (and support) our government is spending billions on flu preparedness, without losing sleep over the chicken on my dinner plate or the egrets in the pond behind my house. Among the things this book taught me, my favorites included a wealth of knowledge on viral mutations and on infectious diseases - ideas and information that everyone should know.
If you are reading this you are probably considering buying this book. Buy it. Read it. You'll learn a lot, understand a lot, and you'll never be confused with a "bird brain." :)

Hopefully more than just the Amazon community is reading Dr. Siegel's work 'Bird Flu : Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic'. This is where our trusted servants and the media community should be on this issue. It takes a clear brave voice like Dr. Siegel's to wake us all up to the emotional rollercoaster we have been subjected to. He is the voice of sanity, reason and wisdom. Can we get this man elected or at least advising the one's who we have elected? Now that sounds like a good idea.

From Publishers Weekly: " . . . Siegel contends, a new bird flu pandemic would face effective public health measures and medical treatments".

YIKES!!!The U.S. has enough Tamiflu for under 5% of it citizens IF it is even effective for the strain that could mutate to allow Human to Human (H2H) transmission. Our hospitals have less than 2% capicity available on average and the normal flu season often strains the system. . .This book produces more hot air than the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

In reading Dr. Siegel's ground-breaking book, I was reminded of the poem by Kipling which begins, "If you can keep your head/When all about you are losing theirs..." In the midst of what appears another panic that may be an over-reaction, Dr. Siegel again -- see his previous book, "False Alarm" -- reminds us, well, urges us, to keep our heads and see the forest for the trees. It is the best antidote for a lot of what often ails society in general, in fact. The book should be read immediately, and by everybody! -- Dolores Case

This is a really timely follow-up to his previous book about the epidemic of fear in our society. In this book he zeroes in on a subject that is already a hot topic and will remain so for a while. 24-7 media coverage of the bird flu story is escalating, and this book will vaccinate the reader against the natural tendency to panic when the talking heads on the news shows present the worst-case scenarios. Marc Siegel draws upon his skill as a writer and his first-hand knowledge of media and medicine to present a balanced analysis of the situation. His advice on what you should and should not be doing is very clear, so besides providing intellectual stimulation this book gives very practical advice from an expert clinician.

Dr. Marc Siegel is the real thing--a doctor who speaks in a way patients (and readers) can understand. Read "Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic." You will have an informed opinion to filter all the media hype about the issue. And you will have better judgment should a crisis occur. An added bonus to the book is that you learn the fascinating back stories of past influenza epidemics, such as the Spanish Flu of 1918, which read like historical vignettes and allow you to see Bird Flu in its deeper context. The status and direction of current vaccine research explained in Dr. Siegel's book is an issue which I am now more conscious of and because of that raised consciousness,I expect more from legislators in modernizing and furthering research techniques.

While I'm not going to be travelling anytime soon to a bird flu type area, you still hear so much about it in the news and everyone has a different opinion that you don't know what's true and what's not. I know that Dr Marc Siegel is meant to be highly regarded as a doctor and I thought that this would clear up the fact from fiction. I found good info in here. He doesn't think we should ignore what we hear in the news, but at the same time it might be a little over-hyped. Personal stock-piling of Tamiflu etc might be of no good at all when you don't need to be taking it. That's when people become resistant to these drugs and when you do need them, your immune won't accept them. He thinks more should be done to immunise the birds themselves. It is heavy reading - so much more to talk about than what my review will allow for, but it's really interesting - even if you (like me) won't need to worry about being in a bird-flu area. At least after reading this, you will have a much clearer idea about this disease and form your own opinions on your own health regarding this and even just with the regular flu. You'll be more concious about your chances for either catching flu in general or if you have it, spreading it to other people. He also speaks in laymans terms which makes it so much more easy to understand and absorb. Good book.

While I'm not going to be travelling anytime soon to a bird flu type area, you still hear so much about it in the news and everyone has a different opinion that you don't know what's true and what's not. I know that Dr Marc Siegel is meant to be highly regarded as a doctor and I thought that this would clear up the fact from fiction. I found good info in here. He doesn't think we should ignore what we hear in the news, but at the same time it might be a little over-hyped. Personal stock-piling of Tamiflu etc might be of no good at all when you don't need to be taking it. That's when people become resistant to these drugs and when you do need them, your immune won't accept them. He thinks more should be done to immunise the birds themselves. It is heavy reading - so much more to talk about than what my review will allow for, but it's really interesting - even if you (like me) won't need to worry about being in a bird-flu area. At least after reading this, you will have a much clearer idea about this disease and form your own opinions on your own health regarding this and even just with the regular flu. You'll be more concious about your chances for either catching flu in general or if you have it, spreading it to other people. He also speaks in laymans terms which makes it so much more easy to understand and absorb. Good book.