William T. Close (1924–2009)

Ebola is a very frightening look at the Ebola outbreak in Zaire in 1976. Ebola is a virulent form of haemorrhagic fever. There are three strains of Ebola with Zaïre ebolavirus (the strain featuring in this book) being the most potent. While this strain has an average mortality rate of around 83%, individual outbreaks have shown it can be much higher. The case-fatality rates for this strain were 88% in 1976 (this is the outbreak covered by Ebola), 100% in 1977, 59% in 1994, 81% in 1995, 73% in 1996, 80% in 2001-2002 and 90% in 2003. There have been more outbreaks of Zaïre ebolavirus than any other strain.

Ebola was an interesting, and frightening, look at the progress of this disease and the fear it can instil in those affected. It is written in novel form, making it easy to read and understand and I recommend this to anyone with an interest in medicine, science or communicable diseases.… (mer)

Dr. William Close, a Wyoming physician, outlines his journey from high school through his unintended experiences in the Congo . “Beyond The Storm” offers levels of tales starting with the dedication of young love, the sometimes opposing goals of career and family, the effects of long absences on children and marriage and into the misdirection of missionary zeal, the blood and guts effort of front line medicine and the facilitating objectives of administrative passion.

Dr. Close chronicles the rise of Mobutu, a man of and from the people, a visionary whose culture and unchecked power leads to the economic collapse of a once progressive country. Corruption and greed combined with misdirected international forces take Zaire, transformed from the Congo , from great potential into the misery of chaos. Dr. Close reveals the rewards and frustrations of practicing medicine and attempting to make a difference in the quality of lives without a sugar coated spin.

Parallels in management, economics and the power of driven people can be applied to current world conflicts, organization behavior and individual choices. I am struck, again by the beauty and wisdom of our constitution, its’ authors and the strength of a democratic government that values individual rights and freedoms. The book unveils the reality behind the saying, “Power Corrupts” and the effects of unbridled greed on individuals, organizations, on a culture, a country and the ripple effect of one country's choices throughout the world. Bravo, Dr. Close!… (mer)