Joining the ranks of popular science classics like The Botany of Desire and The Selfish Gene, a groundbreaking, wondrously informative, and vastly entertaining examination of the most significant revolution in biology since Darwin—a “microbe’s-eye view” of the world that reveals a marvelous, radically reconceived picture of life on earth.
Every animal, whether human, squid, or wasp, is home to … squid, or wasp, is home to millions of bacteria and other microbes. Ed Yong, whose humor is as evident as his erudition, prompts us to look at ourselves and our animal companions in a new light—less as individuals and more as the interconnected, interdependent multitudes we assuredly are.
The microbes in our bodies are part of our immune systems and protect us from disease. In the deep oceans, mysterious creatures without mouths or guts depend on microbes for all their energy. Bacteria provide squid with invisibility cloaks, help beetles to bring down forests, and allow worms to cause diseases that afflict millions of people.
Many people think of microbes as germs to be eradicated, but those that live with us—the microbiome—build our bodies, protect our health, shape our identities, and grant us incredible abilities. In this astonishing book, Ed Yong takes us on a grand tour through our microbial partners, and introduces us to the scientists on the front lines of discovery. It will change both our view of nature and our sense of where we belong in it.
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Fascinating book, starts by explaining the research that shows that at any given time there are about as many microbes in (or on) us as there are cells in our body, and how we (and other multi-cell organisms) have evolved to depend on these microbes, and they’ve evolved to depend on us. (So much so that at times I wondered if the only reason we’ve evolved was as a vessel for microbial species!) It then discusses all of the scientific exploration (some promising, some bunk) that has the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Really informative but non-hyped exploration of microbial science.
Really interesting, casual introduction to the advances we are making in understanding how the microbiome influences our health. I enjoyed learning how new symbiosis’s are changing the tides against diseases like dengue. Great read for the armchair scientist.
An easy to read introduction to a world of microbes that are all around (and in) us that the layman has no idea are out there. It many footnoted references that you can be sure that information is accurate.
It’s my reference book for everything about “my biome”.
Who would have thought that nature is complex and intertwined in ways we can’t predict 🙂
Very interesting!
A non-technical, broad introduction the microbiome.
Loved this book. Very interesting and accessible.
Outstanding review of the fairly new field of the microbiome and how animals plants and humans depend on them for our very survival
I learned a lot of new information in this rapidly expanding field. Cutting edge science.
Cutting edge information in an easy to read/understand format. Opens your eyes & mind to an entirely new understanding of life & our connection to every other living species
I think this is the best non-fiction book I’ve ever read. The topic is of the utmost importance. Ed Yong is a talented writer who makes science accessible to everyone.
Very informative and very well written. A fascinating account of recent research into microbial communities and their impact on us and the world around us. Incredibly wide ranging and important information.
Emphasizes that most bacteria are NOT harmful to humans but essential to survival. Genetic engineering of books is really scary.
A deep dive into the world of microbes that was very informative, in a generally interesting way. Hang in to the end – the last chapter on exciting ways that microbe-research could impact the future of disease prevention was (in my opinion) the best part.
we continue to find out more and more about the relationship between ourselves and the various organisms that live on and in our body. The author explains this in an interesting, non-technical, and entertaining way
This is a good book to read if you want to know about the workings of microbes in the body.
Exploration of the microbiome is one of the areas of science that appear transformational. This book surveys the field.