I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life —by Ed Yong

 Nonfiction / Science / Microbiology

368 pages 

5 Stars

 

From a purely non-scientific viewpoint, which is really the only one I have, unless you count high-school biology enough science for a background, I found this book to be a relative page burner. It appeared to be written for the lay person to read and gain some knowledge of a complex topic. I have seen Mr. Yong being interviewed on his book and found them highly interesting.

 

If you are looking for mathematics, equations, formulas, and or proofs, I fear you’ll be disappointed. If you’re looking for an easily read and understood book about microbes from the deepest trenches of the ocean to your very own gut, then this is the book for you. 

 

Microbes, like the rest of nature, just are. They are neither as a whole good or bad. Many are symbionts and provide goodness to their host. If the host becomes unbalanced, they may no longer be beneficial. Like life itself, it’s all a dance. Some partners do well together, others no so much.

 

If you want something to read this summer that offers more than fluffy brain-candy, get a copy of this book and read it.