Reviews
Deborah GordonStanford University, author ofAnts at WorkThis is an excellent book. Zimmer uses vivid, fast-paced stories to show how parasites transform lives and alter the course of evolution., Susan Adams Forbes Zimmer is such an accomplished, vivid writer that he is able to weave these revolting beasts into an engrossing story that you will read to the last page., Susan AdamsForbesZimmer is such an accomplished, vivid writer that he is able to weave these revolting beasts into an engrossing story that you will read to the last page., Kevin PadianThe New York TimesWithParasite Rex,Zimmer proves himself as fine a science essayist as we have., Paul Hoffman author of The Man Who Loved Only Numbers Carl Zimmer is one of the finest, most engaging science journalists today. He has demonstrated once again his ability to present scientific concepts in arresting, understandable prose., Henry Gee Senior Editor at Nature and author of In Search of Deep Time As Zimmer shows, parasites are the real drivers of evolution: we live at best only arm's length from the unseen creatures that control our lives. Zimmer loves his subject, and his treatment is gentle rather than sensational: the understatement only heightens the horror. Read Parasite Rex and shudder -- your dinner-party conversations will never be the same again., Kevin Padian The New York Times With Parasite Rex, Zimmer proves himself as fine a science essayist as we have., Christopher Willsauthor ofYellow Fever, Black GoddessBacteria and viruses have received all the press when it comes to plagues. In this vividly written book, Carl Zimmer explores the complex world of worms, protozoa and other terrifying creatures that pose an equally great public health threat around the world. These organisms are even more subtle and challenging enemies, and Zimmer provides an excellent introduction to them., Paul Hoffmanauthor ofThe Man Who Loved Only NumbersCarl Zimmer is one of the finest, most engaging science journalists today. He has demonstrated once again his ability to present scientific concepts in arresting, understandable prose., Mark Ridley The New Scientist A nonstop delight...Zimmer is a colorful writer, and takes full advantage of the macabre natural history of parasites., Mark RidleyThe New ScientistA nonstop delight...Zimmer is a colorful writer, and takes full advantage of the macabre natural history of parasites., Christopher Wills author of Yellow Fever, Black Goddess Bacteria and viruses have received all the press when it comes to plagues. In this vividly written book, Carl Zimmer explores the complex world of worms, protozoa and other terrifying creatures that pose an equally great public health threat around the world. These organisms are even more subtle and challenging enemies, and Zimmer provides an excellent introduction to them., Henry GeeSenior Editor atNatureand author ofIn Search of Deep TimeAs Zimmer shows, parasites are the real drivers of evolution: we live at best only arm's length from the unseen creatures that control our lives. Zimmer loves his subject, and his treatment is gentle rather than sensational: the understatement only heightens the horror. ReadParasite Rexand shudder -- your dinner-party conversations will never be the same again., Deborah Gordon Stanford University, author of Ants at Work This is an excellent book. Zimmer uses vivid, fast-paced stories to show how parasites transform lives and alter the course of evolution., Michael Harris Los Angeles Times A model of liveliness and clarity...a book capable of changing how we see the world.
Table of Content
Contents Prologue: A Vein Is a River First sightings of the inner world Nature's Criminals How parasites came to be hated by just about everyone Terra Incognita Swimming through the heart, fighting to the death inside a caterpillar, and other parasitic adventures The Thirty Years' War How parasites provoke, manipulate, and get intimate with our immune system A Precise Horror How parasites turn their hosts into castrated slaves, drink blood, and manage to change the balance of nature The Great Step Inward Four billion years in the reign of Parasite Rex Evolution from Within The peacock's tail, the origin of species, and other battles against the rules of evolution The Two-Legged Host How Homo sapiens grew up with creatures inside How to Live in a Parasitic World A sick planet, and how the most newly arrived parasite can be part of a cure Glossary Notes Further Reading and Selected Bibliography Acknowledgments Index
