The New York Times Bestseller
From Pulitzer Prize winner Ed Yong, 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 millions of
bacteria and other microbes. Pulitzer Prize-winning author 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.
