Rats, Lice, and History: Being a Study in Biography, Which, After Twelve Preliminary Chapters Ind...
The classic chronicle of the impact disease and plagues have had on history and society over the past half-millennium. Intriguingly fascinating and...
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Jan 24, 2011
Inder
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Thanks to Happyreader, I realized my review of this book is associated with a totally obscure and out-of-print edition. So that no one will ever actually see my review, and I can't easily compare mine with others'. Since I really, really love this book, I'm moving my review.
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A must read for anyone interested in biology, or science, or language, or good writing, or life in general, this is one of my all-time favorites. After many non-sequitors about a More...
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A must read for anyone interested in biology, or science, or language, or good writing, or life in general, this is one of my all-time favorites. After many non-sequitors about a More...
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Aug 24, 2011
James
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Even though this book was written at the turn of the previous century, it hasn't become any less interesting or funny. Hans Zinsser has created an eccentric view of history, rambling about rats, typhus, the Roman Empire, lice, and everything. You can't read it in one sitting, because you'll have to keep taking breaks to calm down from the experience. I liked the book because because I learned so much - this book is a classic microbiology textbook among other things. My favorite foonote was assoc
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Apr 09, 2011
David
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Best biology book I ever read. Beautiful, ornate style that reminds me of Swift and Defoe. Fascinating details. Nero Wolf was caught reading it once when he was away from the Orchid rooms, which is a recommendation in itself. The idea of a disease as being like a single organism that spans space and time in a single body and has always been with us is irresistible. I keep up with developments in microbiology as a hobby, although I don't normally do hobbies which are usually associated with pasti
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Oct 01, 2011
Nancy
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Rats, Lice and History is written in an entertaining conversational style with with enough scholarly flourishes that you'll want your computer by your side to look up words and translate all the French, German and Spanish quotes. (Generally the Greek and Latin are translated or explained.)
The author manages to weave in a wide range of historical musings along with up to date science (for the publication date of 1934). The description of how "new" diseases arise is as true f More...
The author manages to weave in a wide range of historical musings along with up to date science (for the publication date of 1934). The description of how "new" diseases arise is as true f More...
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Mar 18, 2009
Stefani
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This book was the first book I read about disease and pests. I remember it as
a facinating book written for anyone.
a facinating book written for anyone.
May 25, 2011
Beth
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The first couple of chapters are a hard slog -- purple, pedantic, and precious -- but the book is pretty good overall.
Jan 31, 2012
Victoria
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This biography of typhus is fascinating. It has had a huge impact on the development of our society.
May 16, 2007
Dave
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I received a copy of this book as a gift when I was in high school. I think my grandmother gave it to me because she thought the title was amusing. The book is a biography of typhus, written by the biologist who isolated the disease. It's written in an engaging style. I especially enjoyed the preliminary chapters where the author discusses the relationship between art and science. It was a mind opener for me. This book prepared me for when I found the essays of Lewis Thomas in 'The Lives o
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Mar 05, 2011
James
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I'm told that the science in this book is outdated, but that hardly matters. While this is purportedly a "biography" of the deadly typhus fever, Zinsser doesn't get around to discussing the fever itself until the book is nearly over. In the meantime we are treated to a series of very funny essays on topics ranging from literary theory, the argument for science as an art form, the insipidity of the first world war, and the important role of disease in the development of empires. High
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Jun 16, 2011
Osho
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I must note this as one of my favorite books ever, not because of its content (though I'm a sucker for plagues), but because of Zinsser's voice and narrative style. This was the first book I read where I noticed the author's effort to communicate his passion, and felt addressed across the decades. I've begun more than one deep friendship based only on our relationship to this book, and to my mind, that is the highest recommendation I can make.
Jan 28, 2011
Heidi
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This book started my nonfiction craze. I first read it 28 years ago, and re-read often. Informative, funny--Zinnser is very familiar and chatty; laughs at himself while you learn about a whole lot of stuff, including nasty typhus. This was written early 1930's, but its sooo good. There's new stuff out on disease/history, yeah, and I've read most, but this is the FUNNEST.
Apr 11, 2007
Michael
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Though this may have been relatively groundbreaking when it was written, the subject matter is now well covered. However, it's not as a historian that Zinnser endures for me so much as as a writer; wry, pithy, and occasionally cantankerous. He's an entertaining character, quite amusing, and always fun to rread.
Jan 29, 2012
ResoluteReader
rated it:
"Rats, Lice, and History: Being a Study in Biography, Which, After Twelve Preliminary Chapters Indispensable for the Preparation of the Lay Reader, Deals With the Life History of Typhus Fever"
http://resolutereader.blogspot.com/2007/...
http://resolutereader.blogspot.com/2007/...
Jan 29, 2012
Peter
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This is a very good and authoritative account of the spread of disease by a master historian of science. Originally published in the 1930s the book has a classic feel to the language and structure.
Sep 22, 2008
got this on my table at the studio for when i need a break; picked it up at the hart library for a buck!
Jul 01, 2008
Daphne
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Contains the best footnote ever: "If the reader does not understand the meaning of this word, that is too bad"
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Apr 02, 2008
melvinhiddenelder
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History through biology and the effects of our "historical companions" on history.
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