This true story dives into the mystery surrounding one of the most controversial and misdiagnosed conditions of our time—Lyme disease—and of Willy Burgdorfer, the man who discovered the microbe behind it, revealing his secret role in developing bug-borne biological weapons, and raising terrifying questions about the genesis of the epidemic of tick-borne diseases affecting millions of Americans today. Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [293]-298) and index.

Bitten -- The scientist -- The Cold War : Coin toss -- Bitterroot bride -- Big itch -- Fever -- Special operations -- Behind the curtain -- The Hunt : Out of the abyss -- Confession -- Missing files -- Last interview -- Rebellion -- Smoking gun -- Eight ball -- Speed chess -- Fear -- Outbreak : Fog of war -- Lone star -- Survival -- Castleman's case -- Red velvet mites -- Wildfire -- Swiss agent -- Collateral damage -- Postmortem : Discovery -- DNA detectives -- Change agent -- Sins of our fathers -- Surrender -- Epilogue -- Appendix I : ticks and human disease agents -- Appendix II : uncontrolled tick releases, 1966-1969.