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Small Wonders: How Microbes Rule Our World
by
In the spirit of Natalie Angier's "The Canon," and writing with the verve and wit of Bill Bryson, "Small Wonders" takes the reader on a fantastic voyage to the microscopic, but massively influential, world of microbiology. It's a strange and dangerous world where oxygen is a lethal poison, sulphur is a delicious treat, deception is a basic survival skill, and perfectly goo
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Paperback, 230 pages
Published
September 1st 2008
by Scribe Publications
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Start your review of Small Wonders: How Microbes Rule Our World
When I first started this book--admittedly at a Holiday Inn Express in Texas at 2am because I couldn't sleep--I was deeply concerned that the author (hereafter IB) was just a tad too "aren't I funny" for the book's own good. However after reading more (and getting out of Texas--which let's face it couldn't have helped my opinion of the book), I realized that although IB is a bit too "LOOK HOW FUNNY I AM!!!" The information is exceptional and well told.
Since nearly failing Biology in high school, ...more
Since nearly failing Biology in high school, ...more
I often find that when scientists try to make their chosen field accessible to the masses, they dumb things down to the point of oblivion, and then try too hard to be witty and cute with lame jokes (do all scientists really want to do stand-up?) Such is the case with this book. The goofy jokes and extremely brief description of a the subject matter just didn't add up to anything very memorable.
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Fun! In contrast to the hard-core microbiology of my everyday working world.
Livro de divulgação científica que mais me fez rir.
Technically, 3.5. But I rounded up because the guy seriously works on making this thing readable. I can't imagine the amount of science he had to skip over or dumb down to make a person like me say "Oh, okay, yeah I think I understand what you mean."
That being said, it is a little bit odd. I'm not sure precisely how to describe it. It's basically loosely connected fun facts or stories that are then collected into the eight different sections. And they are interesting. But it is runs a little thi ...more
That being said, it is a little bit odd. I'm not sure precisely how to describe it. It's basically loosely connected fun facts or stories that are then collected into the eight different sections. And they are interesting. But it is runs a little thi ...more
"It is the dance of life, and its beauty is wondrous to behold, once you understand what you are looking at". Idn Ben-Barak could be referring to the cosmic universe. But in fact he writes about the microbial universe, & with his infectious (!) humour makes all that gross gloop totally entrancing. And I never thought I'd say that about E. coli!
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I had not thought much about microbes before I read this book. I think I know a little more about them now. What can I say about the book? I wish I could write better reviews. It was an easy read. The author was funny so I laughed a lot reading the book. It was not filled with to much technical jargon.
Book is laid out in a creative way, much of the scientific context is stripped, there are plenty of facts. For example, it takes about 50000 E. Coli microbes to circle a little finger. The author tells a story from bacteria to protists point of view.
Amazing!
I found it fact-heavy and really boring.
Very similar to other microbiology related books I've read in the past. It reminded me a lot of my microbial physiology course in the first half of the book with information on interesting organisms like tardigrades and the radiodurans bacteria and how other organisms tolerate harsh conditions. Interesting read, but nothing too new for me within its pages. Most of the time I found the author amusing, but sometimes his jokes were a bit too much. I thought the way the material was presented was si
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Mar 12, 2013
Blablabla Aleatório
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nubia
O que são micróbios? O que eles fazem? Como eles influenciam nossa vida? São essas perguntas e outras tantas mais que Ben-Barak propõe responder em seu livro Pequenas Maravilhas. Apaixonado pelos seres microscópicos resolveu extravasar esse amor ao mundo e deixar registrado no papel o quão importante esses organismos são para o funcionamento da natureza e a manutenção da vida.
“Quero lhe contar algumas histórias sobre micróbios. Mas estou com um problema: se eu entrar em explicações detalhadas e ...more
“Quero lhe contar algumas histórias sobre micróbios. Mas estou com um problema: se eu entrar em explicações detalhadas e ...more
Very enjoyable book about our relationship with our microbial colleagues. They can be both friend and foe, and Ben-Barak explains this well, and with humor.
He doesn't get too technical here, which makes this a good book for the layperson who wants to understand a bit about the complex and fascinating microbial world. However, he provides enough detail to keep those of us who DO know more about it interested. In fact, one of his best points was that when discussing such topics with those not in ...more
He doesn't get too technical here, which makes this a good book for the layperson who wants to understand a bit about the complex and fascinating microbial world. However, he provides enough detail to keep those of us who DO know more about it interested. In fact, one of his best points was that when discussing such topics with those not in ...more
The Invisible Kingdom is a charming introduction to microbiology. The author is clearly very knowledgeable and is also quite funny. I noticed other reviewers criticized the book for its humour (science is SERIOUS BUSINESS) but I think the jokes were cute/clever and done in an approachable but not over-the-top way. Also, I particularly loved how the author used the pronoun 'she' whenever a pronoun was needed.
There were many times, however, that the author went on tangents or didn't really come t ...more
There were many times, however, that the author went on tangents or didn't really come t ...more
Jun 10, 2012
Kara
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone with a love of science! (or wants to love science!)
I really enjoyed this book! I'm a bio major and I'm taking a microbiology class next semester, this book had a lot of really interesting (beginner) facts and went in depth enough to give a solid amount of background information, but didn't overwhelm with a bunch of terms and scientific info. I loved that it was just enough information to make me want to go out and read more and do a bit more research, all the while feeling comfortable reading the entire book and not feeling lost. It had a ton of
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Off this review: The Invisible Kingdom: From the Tips of Our Fingers to the Tops of Our Trash, Inside the Curious World of Microbes
By Idan Ben-Barak (Basic Books)
Microbiologist turned science writer Ben-Barak’s debut book is dotted with pub-worthy facts (two to four pounds of human body weight is made up of microbes) and playful footnotes that make for an accessible and amusing look at the hidden world of ubiquitous microscopic creatures like bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. Woven into ...more
By Idan Ben-Barak (Basic Books)
Microbiologist turned science writer Ben-Barak’s debut book is dotted with pub-worthy facts (two to four pounds of human body weight is made up of microbes) and playful footnotes that make for an accessible and amusing look at the hidden world of ubiquitous microscopic creatures like bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. Woven into ...more
Despite holding much information that will not just educate the layman but also refresh microbiologists, this book tends toward being verbose. There are enough sections that could have been more concisely written, and some analogies seem unnecessary. I find myself skimming through paragraphs of "witty humor" while searching for the essence of the knowledge that the author wishes to impart to the reader.
I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a comprehensive view of microbes that li ...more
I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a comprehensive view of microbes that li ...more
Genre:Informational/nonfiction
Copyright: 2009
CHAPTER BOOK
Author Ben-Barak’s amusing narration of the world of microbes entertains while informs the reader about the unseen world that is all around us. This book introduces the reader to the how genes and protein, bacteria and viruses, and the innumerable ways that they interact with life on Earth. This resource is well researched and exceptionally written. It introduces students to the world of microbiology. Creating a vivid picture of a part of ...more
Copyright: 2009
CHAPTER BOOK
Author Ben-Barak’s amusing narration of the world of microbes entertains while informs the reader about the unseen world that is all around us. This book introduces the reader to the how genes and protein, bacteria and viruses, and the innumerable ways that they interact with life on Earth. This resource is well researched and exceptionally written. It introduces students to the world of microbiology. Creating a vivid picture of a part of ...more
This is a great little book to help you find interest in what you probably had no interest before: microbes. I would say that the author also has a good grasp of science, in general, and presenting it to the reader. It lacks a strong central path of direction when it comes to the topics presented, but the anecdotes are fascinating enough to hold the reader.
Sometimes I found my mind wandering while reading this (never a good sign), but other times I was completely captivated. While I can't wholly say this book has a cohesive narrative thread running through it, the author more than makes up for that with his witty writing style and humorous footnotes.
If you're the least bit interested in science or microbes, I'd say give it a shot, for sure. ...more
If you're the least bit interested in science or microbes, I'd say give it a shot, for sure. ...more
I am not sure why people get annoyed with his trying to be funny or accessible. If he wasn't then it would just be a microbiology text book. His next book is even better. Love this writer. Fascinating topic.
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Feb 11, 2012
Steve
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
viruses-bacteria-and-immunology,
science
If I wrote a book on bacteria - it would be much like this. Plenty of interesting biology and a light sense of humor to go along with it. I'm shocked that this is rated so low - which might mean I shouldn't write a book.
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Quite interesting. Not too heavy on the biological details so if you're not into that kind of thing, this book would be quite suitable. Some interesting theories pertaining to microbes that I'd like to read a little more on, and the author has provided a bibliography for me to do so.
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Recommended reading when you are sick...
The book is masterfully written, sure to appease any readers who choose to read it. I enjoyed this book simply because it was written in a way that appealed to me and my characteristics.
This book compiled my knowledge of microbes very well, however it would be very difficult to follow for someone without prior knowledge of microbes
Very informative in a hilarious presentation. Loved it.
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I write science books, usually for children; they've been translated into over a dozen languages and won a couple of awards.
I live in Melbourne, Australia with my family. Sometimes, after they go to bed, I grab my guitar and make up harmless little tunes.
I have degrees in microbiology and in the history and philosophy of science, a diploma in library studies, and a day job that has very little t ...more
I live in Melbourne, Australia with my family. Sometimes, after they go to bed, I grab my guitar and make up harmless little tunes.
I have degrees in microbiology and in the history and philosophy of science, a diploma in library studies, and a day job that has very little t ...more
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