I think the best part of the book was the hubris of the government. They threw technology at a problem that was untested and unplanned.

if we spend enough money, surely we can solve the problem

Such a late 80s and 90s sentiment

Actually I really liked The Andromeda Strain including its ending, but it had a similar let down feeling. I think it’s worth the read. See how we thought about pandemics in the 90s before we had a major outbreak in the western world (excluding HIV)

Crichton is best when he’s writing hard science fiction like Andromeda or Jurassic Park. Sphere is too science fantasy for him and he struggles with how to make it work.

You disliked the ending to The Sphere more than The Andromeda Strain?

People who like war thunder tend to be military folks. Some of those military folks have access to sensitive materials. Some of those people make bad choices about sharing sensitive materials