The book is primarily an account of the Smallpox Eradication Program ( 1967 – 1980 ) , the ongoing perception by the U.S. government that smallpox is still a potential bioterrorism agent , and the controversy over whether or not the remaining samples of smallpox virus in Atlanta and Moscow ( the " demon " in the freezer ) should be finally destroyed . However , the writer was overtaken by events — the 9/11 attacks and the anthrax letter incidents ( called " Amerithrax " ) , both in 2001 — and so much of the book interweaves the anthrax investigation with the smallpox material in a manner some critics have said is " awkward " and somewhat " disjointed "
anthrax letter incidents
2001 anthrax attacks
The Demon in the Freezer