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Biological War

The Sunday Times bestselling non-fiction thriller

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Biological War

By: Annie Jacobsen
Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
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There is an invisible weapon among us.
By the time you know you are a victim, it has turned you into a killer.

A compelling, fast-paced, ticking clock non-fiction thriller from the author of the bestselling Nuclear War: A Scenario.

A lab accident, a bio-attack, a global pandemic, and the collapse of human society. In this explosive new book, based on dozens of new interviews with experts with high-level political, governmental, medical, and military responsibility, Annie Jacobsen examines this very scenario.

There is no mushroom cloud, no shock wave or blast. Instead, the scenario that could end the world as we know it begins with something so small and malicious, that when used for evil, only evil can result.

This is what could happen; a roadmap to the hours, days, and weeks following the release of a biological agent, that serves as the most essential, forward-looking journalism in preparation for urgent societal upheaval.

'A persuasive and unnerving argument' The New Yorker

'Read this book. It is a better briefing on the problem than the one we recived in Downing Street six years ago.' James Phillips, Spectator

'It's gripping and very, very scary how this scenario plays out.' Transfer Orbit

© Annie Jacobsen 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Editors Select Freedom & Security Future Studies Military Politics & Government Social Sciences War & Crisis Weapons & Warfare Scary War
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Critic reviews

Very effective . . . you might argue that her books on nuclear and biological warfare establish a new genre we might call New Fear Unlocked . . . all too credible . . . the author's timing is impeccable.
Read this book. It is a better briefing on the problem than the one we received in Downing Street six years ago. (James Phillips)
Energetic, detailed and disturbing . . . an engrossing, plausible book
A persuasive and unnerving argument.
Graphic and sobering . . . Jacobsen is back with another scenario that promises to be even more ghastly and perversely thrilling than [Nuclear War: A Scenario]. (Killian Fox)
A scrupulously realistic book about the inconceivable…This is important work...Biological War is an indictment of the weapons programs that created our discomfiting reality, and of a leadership that has allowed it to continue.
This book moves like a meteor… Biological War is a heavily researched book about contagious and potentially civilization-ending pathogens…That so many were willing to talk to her, and have their names affixed to this book, indicates the esteem in which she is held.
Intriguing . . . Jacobsen is a first rate researcher
The scenario here is fictional, but the horrors are not only possible but based on real actions, plans, and fears
A compelling and deeply unsettling examination of how biological warfare could shape the next global catastrophe . . . Biological War is difficult to put down, but it is even harder to stop thinking about once finished. (Hamish de Bretton-Gordon)
All stars
Most relevant
I found this Scenario scarier than the nuclear scenario, probably because there is a greater chance of this happening or has already happened in my lifetime.

Extrapolation of the informationade me take a hard look at Governments response to SARS-CoV-2.

What was known and unknown and are we the public not acknowledging how close we were to a global nightmare.

Chillingly Informative

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a little long winded but very detail about the structure of the US set up for Nuclear, chemical and biological warfare. I enjoy listening to Annie Jacobsen

very interesting

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The scenario outlined is a vision of hell and depressingly, increasingly likely one. I’ll never be relaxed or truly happy again. God help us.

Terrifying, essential

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Have listened to a few of Annie Jacobsen’s books - her voice is quite monotone but manageable. My only criticism of this book is that it is not so much of a scenario more a list of possibilities. Still worth a listen and very worrying

Really good actually

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A decent enough listen but nowhere near as good as Annie’s previous book. Worth listening to but somewhat disappointing.

Not as good as Nuclear War

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