In the shadowy frontiers of global health, where diseases lurk and spread with terrifying speed, a select group of warriors stands guard, ever ready to deploy. "Beating Back the Devil" by Maryn McKenna is a gripping account of these unsung heroes—the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Armed with scientific rigor and unyielding determination, they venture into the heart of outbreaks, racing against time to unravel the mysteries of emerging threats. From the dense rainforests harboring Ebola to the bustling cities grappling with SARS, McKenna offers an unprecedented glimpse into the high-stakes world of epidemic response, where every moment counts and the stakes could not be higher. With unparalleled access to the EIS and its operatives, McKenna crafts a narrative that is both exhilarating and humbling. These are the stories of men and women who, when the world sleeps blissfully unaware, pack their bags and head straight into the maw of contagion. They are the vanguard against an invisible enemy, working tirelessly to safeguard humanity from the next great health crisis. Through the lens of the first EIS class post-September 11—a group uniquely trained to confront not just natural outbreaks but the specter of bioterrorism—McKenna paints a vivid portrait of courage, sacrifice, and scientific triumph. "Beating Back the Devil" is not just a testament to the spirit of these disease detectives; it is a compelling call to arms in the ongoing battle against the microbial forces that threaten our very existence.