X-Message-Number: 17826 From: Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 22:17:40 EST Subject: Parasite Power: Macrobes & Microbes CryoNet: Earlier this year I read "Parasite Rex--Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures" by Carl Zimmer, 2000, The Free Press, A Division of Simon & Shuster, Inc. Well done. Interesting and novel insights (at least to me). It concentrates on the larger parasites such as flukes and tapeworms, their life cycles and vectors; but also gets into microorganisms (as all are, at least in some phase, including ourselves, in the beginning). Eradication history and methodology is also discussed. It is not too "technical" for the beginner or those with a casual interest, and not at all boring to the armchair biologist. It is about 300 pages. A more or less random quote/paragraph: "More often, though, the mechanisms are far more sophisticated. Parasites have mastered the vocabulary of their hosts' neurotransmitters and hormones. Parasitologists are pretty confident that this is the case, even though they haven't yet found a particular molecule that they know can alter a host in a particular way. The bodies and brains of animals are just too noisy with the traffic signals for scientists to catch a quick transmission from parasites. But parasitologists can still say a lot about those parasitic molecules indirectly, in the same way you can judge a man by his shadow." From the cover: "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."--Christopher Wills, author of Yellow Fever, Black Goddess. I look forward to reading it again in a few years. Not only will it go much faster, I will be after something somewhat different this time--the bigger picture, as well as an improved retention of the specifics. Fitting-in new knowledge and understanding into one's own "internal model of the world" from such a work is an iterative process--having read the entire book once gives enhanced significance and meaning. The second time around--after some time for "cognitive assimilation"--is the charm. I am currently reading "Power Unseen--How Microbes Rule the World" by Bernard Dixon, 1994, W. H. Freeman & Company Limited. It was written by the editor of "New Scientist" (from 1969 to 1979). He lives in England. Someone gave me the paperback recently. This is considerably different work than Parasite Rex in both substance and style, and would likely have an even wider appeal; and of course, it is particularly timely despite its "age." It has a short section on Small Pox and one on Anthrax (and tetanus, botulism, etc.) and gets into the role of such microbes in geopolitical world events throughout the history of mankind. For me, it has been good for "filling in the blanks" here and there and for answering a question or two that I had not yet figured out to ask yet. I did not know the importance of critic acid for over the last couple hundred years for food stuffs and that it has (for years) been commercially synthesized by a particular microbe, or that acetone was similarly produced and many vitamins. The chapter "stories" are good and leave you wanting to know a little more sometimes. I am about one-third through and may repost later on. Regards, D.C. Johnson P.S. Thanks, Thomas Donaldson for the posting signature idea. I like that better. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17826