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.  

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