Tales of a dark winter: a play in three acts -- A brief history of bioterrorism -- Agents of terror -- Genetically modified pathogens -- The ultimate bioterrorist : Mother Nature! -- Agroterrorism : the very food on your plate (and the water in your glass) -- America responds -- Political, legal, and social issues in a national health emergency -- The politics of bioterrorism in America -- Assessing the threat.