A mysterious disease emerges from the Antarctic, threatening the survival of mankind As the polar ice caps melt, scientists prepare for slowly rising sea levels. But there is a far more urgent threat, hitherto unimaginable, which in a matter of months—not decades—may destroy civilization as we know it.   A polar research station has gone quiet, and the crew that investigates finds four corpses—their bones arthritic, their skin withered, their hair reduced to tattered wisps. They are the bodies of the four scientists manning the station—none of them over forty-five years old. A terrifying virus, which causes adults to race to old age, has emerged from the ice where it has been locked since prehistoric times. Against such an ancient illness man has no immunity, and unless someone can stop it, the Earth is about to be swept clean by history's deadliest plague.   This ebook features an illustrated biography of Brian Freemantle including rare photos from the author's personal collection.