We might not want to think about this all the time, but every animal, whether human or wasp, is home to millions of bacteria and other microbes. A lot of people think of microbes as germs to be eradicated, but those that live with us—the microbiome—build our bodies, protect our health, and more. In this 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.
This audio book was exceptionally interesting, if a bit gross at times, but, given the topic one does expect a certain amount of microscopic foreplay with the inner workings of one’s biological anatomic makeup. You will not be disappointed. If you find forensic science fascinating that is also a foot up with this subject. I have been a fan of those tiny objects unseen by the naked eye yet still very much there none the less since I first saw the Hidden World documentary films years ago. Who knew all those mites live on your face and in your carpet? Yikes! Like Horton Hears a Who this book takes you to a whole new world of living things riding along on their unassuming hosts (you and me) yet unseen and virtually unknown by most of us laymen walking around with our own little galaxies of life riding along on our bodies. Once you shake off that creepy, itchy feeling and get over your nervous tics at the thought of unseen things moving around on you it’s time to get your serious science side going and learn how beneficial we life forms are for one another and why we need those little critters desperately to keep us moving along at our healthiest best. You just might say, “whaaaaat?” aloud a few times like I did and replay a few parts or reread a few parts like I did to get the full effect and reality of some of the things you may find hard to believe that you will learn from this read but I promise you will come away with a whole new respect and understanding of many things you did not fully understand the significance of before gleening the knowledge you will gain here. (Like why it is actually necessary to their gut for animals to sniff and clean one another’s orifices.) You will not look at the world the same again. Superior knowledge awaits.
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