Disease—specifically infectious disease—is what eventually kills the overwhelming majority of us. In fact, it’s amazing that it doesn’t get us sooner: we fight off millions of disease-causing germs every day.
So how come we’re not dead yet? In this lively and accessible book, Idan Ben-Barak tells us why. He explores the immune system and what keeps it running, how germs are destroyed, and why we develop immunities to certain disease-causing agents. He also examines the role of antibiotics and vaccines, and looks at what the future holds for our collective chances of not being dead.
This is entertaining and thoughtful science writing to inspire the student interested in a career in medicine or immunology, or to inform the reader who just wants to understand more about their body while having a laugh along the way.
“An accessible account of a complex and important topic.”
Prof. Peter C. Doherty, Nobel Prize Winner
“…dotted with pub-worthy facts (two to four pounds of human body weight is made up of microbes) and playful footnotes that make for an accessible and amusing look at the hidden world of ubiquitous microscopic creatures like bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. Woven into the humor is a bona fide crash course in parasitology, microbiology, and gene transfer…”
SEED
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“I enjoyed this lighthearted insider’s guide to germs…I'd love to shrink down to microscopic size to see some of the odd lifeforms described in this book.”
BoingBoing.net
“A terrific introduction to the complicated beast that keeps us alive.”
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, author of Great Mythconceptions
“[F]riendly and engaging…accessible to anyone who's curious about the mechanics of the human body.”
The Age
“The book is hilarious in a science-nerd kind of way, and the personal notations and anecdotes from Ben-Barak put a real human touch on information that can sometimes come off as clinical and complex.”
Science for the People
“I loved this book. Ben-Barak assumes the reader starts with no knowledge of the immune system but does not make the further assumption that we’re ignorant. He explains in simple terms but without condescension. He adds liberal doses of humor, often self-deprecating. He writes with an unusual kindness that makes me think he is a kind person, one who would be a lovely dinner guest.”
Tonstant Weader Reviews
