I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life -- Ed Yong, Hardcover

New York Times Bestseller

New York Times Notable Book of 2016 - NPR Great Read of 2016 - Named a Best Book of 2016 by The Economist, Smithsonian, NPR's Science Friday, MPR, Minnesota Star Tribune, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, The Guardian, Times (London)

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.

Author: Ed Yong
Publisher: Ecco Press
Published: 08/09/2016
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 9.40h x 6.50w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780062368591

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 03/15/2016 pg. 91
Publishers Weekly 05/30/2016
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2016
Library Journal 08/01/2016 pg. 119
Booklist 08/01/2016 pg. 9
Choice 01/01/2017
Library Journal 03/15/2016