Public sanitation and antibiotic drugs have brought about historic increases in the human life span; they have also unintentionally produced new h...
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Mar 17, 2010
Tracey
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Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World, by Jessica Snyder Sachs, is an exploration of humans' interactions with bacteria throughout time with an emphasis on modern history and developments of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, such as the widespread use of antibiotics in people and animals for both therapeutic and non-therapeutive, or preventative, measures.
The book's prologue begins with a narrative about Ricky Lannetti and his battle with antibiotic More...
The book's prologue begins with a narrative about Ricky Lannetti and his battle with antibiotic More...
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Jan 01, 2011
Brent
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This book is a very well researched and well written guide to our hubris as a species. Sachs lays out how our war against microbes has turned out to be more damaging to us than it has been to the microbes that we were fighting. She then explains in detail how a growing cadre of scientists are learning how to work with microbes to prevent and cure disease, rather than trying to eradicate them.
There is probably a great allegory in the book about how it is better to use an enemy's strengt More...
There is probably a great allegory in the book about how it is better to use an enemy's strengt More...
Sep 02, 2010
Barbara
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This is an essential read if you've ever taken an antibiotic. Jessica Sachs is a freelance scientific writer and she makes complex science understandable to a lay person. I can't remember all the bio tech companies or the names of specific bacteria but I can remember microflora, antibiotics and probiotics. The overall gist of this research addresses a world of over-use of antibiotics, resistant bacteria, and ways science is addressing the problem. To sum it up, all of us are a living system with
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Feb 07, 2009
Joel
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Sachs focuses on the use of antibiotics, probiotics, and related techniques to treat bacterial diseases. I was a little disappointed, because I was hoping for a broader-scale discussion of the ecological roles of bacteria in general. It was interesting, nevertheless, to read about probiotics (the administration of beneficial or harmless bacteria to inhibit the growth of harmful species), genetic manipulation, and other new techniques. Much of what Sachs reports is research and experimental tr
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May 11, 2009
Sepideh
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This book is all about bacteria and how we are getting super strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. It mentions how bacteria easily transmit certain functionality to one another through the little loops of DNA known as plasmids. There were a couple of other methods of DNA exchange that I forget. The book described the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative. It has to do with whether the bacteria has a hard cell wall, I think.
The book spent a long time disc More...
The book spent a long time disc More...
Mar 01, 2010
Michael
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This is a book every human alive should read. Yup, I feel that strongly about it. It is an enlightening read that makes one appreciate the complex mechanisms of the human immune system as well as the ongoing relationships humans have with bacteria. The book reads easily, with real-world anecdotes setting up each chapter's examination of how science has revealed the problems and potential solutions to varying issues.
The book essentially examines humans' relationship with the bacterial More...
The book essentially examines humans' relationship with the bacterial More...
Apr 07, 2011
Jaclyn
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This book wasn't nearly as user-friendly as the last book I read on the topic (The Rising Plague). I might even warn that those without a scientific background may get lost frequently. I studied Neuroscience and I found myself re-reading sections on occasion due confusing language or inadequate descriptions and background, or even just convoluted organization. However, despite the author's more complicated, less straightforward writing, this book provided much more of a well-rounded look at a
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Jul 21, 2009
Jeff
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Very readable review of the field of microbiology focused on the bugs that live inside us humans. Loved the first half which taught me a lot of fascinating biology. The second half is more a review of current biotech efforts to battle antibiotic resistance and was somewhat choppy. The book also could use a set of color plates to show us pictures of these bugs. But I loved reading this, even on vacation (where I usually prefer fiction), it was a compelling story.
Apr 28, 2008
Eric
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An excellent book on the history of human microbiology and the ramificaitons of medical science on the life and wellbeing of not only we humans, but also of the critters who we live with on a daily basis.
Sachs does a good job in attempting to reduce the scientific background needed to understand the complex chemical and biological processes that sum up the interrelationships of bacteria and our body's systems.
Her use of current scholarship and portraying a wide range of t More...
Sachs does a good job in attempting to reduce the scientific background needed to understand the complex chemical and biological processes that sum up the interrelationships of bacteria and our body's systems.
Her use of current scholarship and portraying a wide range of t More...
Jun 20, 2009
Laura
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I learned a great deal from this book. And to my surprise, I found that I was less afraid of germs, not more, when I finished. I was particularly intrigued by the discussion of probiotics and the interactions of bacterial populations with the human immune system. I also was fascinated by plasmids and the process of horizontal gene transfer between even unrelated bacteria.
May 06, 2011
Rae
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I have read other books about the bacteria in our lives and they come across as too scary, extreme or dumbed down. This one is just right. Sachs has kept the book readable while giving medically valid and practical information. I was especially enthralled by the sections on newborns, nursing, and birth. Fascinating!
Nov 12, 2008
Brian
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This book was great. It really opens your eyes about our relationship with germs and how we fit together. One truism that I will always remember from this books is the line "In evolution, that which is unavoidable becomes indispensable".
Another thing I learned from this book is the prevalence of treatments for disease that are not pursued because they are not patentable. A drug company would have to incur the costs of clinical trials and FDA approval, but would not be able More...
Another thing I learned from this book is the prevalence of treatments for disease that are not pursued because they are not patentable. A drug company would have to incur the costs of clinical trials and FDA approval, but would not be able More...
Jun 11, 2011
Mary
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Not always easy to grasp the concepts but it was a fascinating description of the bacteria that live in our bodies. The good ones that we tolerate and help us, the bad ones that attack us, and what researchers are doing to try to control the bad ones, especially the antibiotic resistant ones.
Jun 25, 2010
Rochelle
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While seemingly non-biased, this book makes an excellent case for the necessity of breastfeeding and vaginal birth. It also makes a good case against Purell and co. It's a little bit frightening, but also exciting to know what is going on in the microscopic universe that inhabits our bodies.
Dec 18, 2008
Hannah
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While I would not agree with the evolutionist perspective that comes through in some areas of this book, nor even with some of the scientific hypotheses explored, I definitely enjoyed reading this book shortly after completing Microbiology class. Very fascinating.
May 18, 2009
RachelAnne
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I keep hoping that in some incarnation, Walt Whitman is aware of this book. The composer of "Song of Myself" really ought to bliss out over the idea that he was additionally a vast biome of complexly interlinked microbial life. The fascinating intricacies of microbial research are supplemented by heart-thumping urgency forced by growing antibiotic resistance and the very real threat of looming drug-resistant disease epidemics. All this throws into even greater relief the wonders of
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Jun 06, 2011
Noelle
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Super interesting! Antibiotic resistance is a terrifying reality. This book discusses some of the ideas considered in combating this growing global health issue. Accessible language.
Feb 03, 2011
Michelle
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I read this in order to help my daughter with her science project. I really enjoyed it, and learned some very interesting things. Also certain chapters scared the crap out of me.
Jul 07, 2010
Kate
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This is a thoroughly fascinating and excellent resource for delving into the world of microbes. I especially appreciated her emphasis (and extensive research) on good germs, which we don't see prevalent in consumer and non-academic communities.
Jul 01, 2009
Tim
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Really great investigation of how bacteria are smarter than we are and how our abuse of antibiotics is providing bacteria with ever-greater resistance.
Mar 08, 2009
Ms. Phinnia
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Not bad, although i would have preferred more of a look at actual cases/focus on diseases; not bad though.
Jun 28, 2011
Pancha
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A look at antibiotics and probiotics, and how they each tackle fighting diseases.
Jul 13, 2010
Miranda
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Not too dumbed down, not too dense. I really believe in the hygiene hypothesis guys ! !
Apr 30, 2009
Liz
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Good stuff to know especially as a parent. Challenges just how we think of germs.
Oct 09, 2009
Julia
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I finally finished it. Interesting and necessary. However, from the point of view of a physician, I don't understand why the author thinks it strange that doctors have a hard time not prescribing antibiotics. I try really hard not to prescribe them unnecessarily, and it certainly costs me extra time explaining to patients why they don't "deserve" antibiotics when they feel miserable. I hope this book goes a long way toward educating patients about the proper use of antibiotics. (a
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Jul 05, 2010
Jessica
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This was a very well-written and not-too-technical science book. It brings in a human element and does a great job explaining antibiotic resistance. The theory that over-sanitation has led to an increase in allergies and auto-immune disease was well-argued and I think there is probably some truth to it. It was fascinating reading about some of the new probiotic treatments and other alternative medicine that is cropping up in an effort to combat antibiotic resistance.
Dec 31, 2010
Katherine
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A good overview of current knowledge about bacteria living on and inside of us. There is a lot of sensationalist journalist-type stuff, which is annoying. I felt that the information about bacteria and antibiotic use in the animals we eat should have been expanded upon.
May 12, 2008
Fondren Library Has This Book: QR57 .S24 2007
Provides an interesting account into the curious world of microbes and how they beneficially affect and even protect us from diseases. The subjects of drug resistance, infection, and new therapeutics are also discussed.
Provides an interesting account into the curious world of microbes and how they beneficially affect and even protect us from diseases. The subjects of drug resistance, infection, and new therapeutics are also discussed.
