Synopses & Reviews
Hidden away within living tissues, parasites are all around usand#151;and inside us. Yet, despite their unsavory characteristics, as we find in this compulsively readable book, parasites have played an enormous role in civilizations through time and around the globe. Parasites: Tales of Humanityand#8217;s Most Unwelcome Guests puts amoebae, roundworms, tapeworms, mites, and others at the center of the action as human cultures have evolved and declined. It shows their role in exploration, war, and even terrorist plots, often through an unpredictable ripple effect. It reveals them as invisible threats in our food, water, and luggage; as invaders that have shaped behaviors and taboos; and as unexpected partners in such venues as crime scene investigations. Parasites also describes their evolution and life histories and considers their significant benefits. Deftly blending the sociological with the scientific, this natural and social history of parasites looks closely at a fascinating, often disgusting group of organisms and discovers that they are in fact an integral thread in the web of life.
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and#8220;Drisdelle is not only an experienced parasitologist and scientific author, but a creative genius. . . . Her writing style and narrative is so entertaining that one will want to keep turning this bookand#8217;s pages to see what happens next.and#8221;
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and#8220;I highly recommend taking a deeper look into Drisdelleand#8217;s new book . . . Youand#8217;ll be surprised by how much you learn and even more by how much you enjoy the read!and#8221;
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and#8220;Drisdelle describes biological processes lovingly and beautifully . . . read Drisdelle for an education.and#8221;
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and#8220;Hookworm, roundworm, bed bugs, lice, trichinosis, sleeping sickness, scabies: these are some of the parasites and diseases that Drisdelle ably describes with mirth, occasional poetry, and an infectious scientific fascination, where the human story is an essential element of the natural history.and#8221;
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and#8220;An interesting guide to what's eating you, literally! Not for the squeamish!and#8221;
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“An interesting guide to what's eating you, literally! Not for the squeamish!” Scitech Book News
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[”A] compulsively readable book.” Ian Paulsen - The Guardian (Uk) / The Birdbooker Report
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and#8220;A superb introduction to and overview of parasites in some of their many fascinating and historically significant forms.and#8221;
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and#8220;Drisdelle has written one of those rare books that is fun to read but does not skimp on scholarly rigor.and#8221;
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“Parasites is a wonderful popular introduction to one of biologys most fascinating lifestyles.” Janice Moore - Bioscience
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[and#8221;A] compulsively readable book.and#8221;
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and#8220;Parasites is a wonderful popular introduction to one of biologyand#8217;s most fascinating lifestyles.and#8221;
Synopsis
"A very good read! Lots of parasite stories told in a compelling way."and#151;Dickson Despommier, Emeritus Professor, Columbia University
"In her newest book, Rosemary Drisdelle gives us a fresh and exciting spin on the past and current history of parasites; a far too often disdained and ignored presence among us. Drisdelle's anecdotes make one of society's most dreaded entities accessible as well as enjoyable. Parasites and its historical insights have the ability to change society's view of and response to parasites amongst us."and#151;Richard Saffern, bedbug.com
About the Author
Rosemary Drisdelle is a writer and a clinical parasitologist living in Nova Scotia.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Author's Note
Introduction
1. Ambush
Parasites that have changed human history
2. Market of Peril
Parasites versus food safety regulationsand#151;is anything safe to eat?
3. Drinking-Water Advisory
How parasites get into our water and what we try to do about it
4. Illegal Aliens
The unintentional but persistent global movement of parasites by humans
5. Parasites in Control
As in science fiction, some parasites do take over their hosts
6. In the House of Mirrors
Good, bad, and imaginaryand#151;the cultural meanings and practical uses of parasites, and the power of fear
7. The Parasite Felonies
Criminals who cast their lot in with parasites
8. Emerging Parasites
The ones that seem to come out of nowhere, and where they really come from
9. Parasite Extinction
Can we ever get rid of these unwelcome guests?
Epilogue
Notes
Selected Bibliography and Additional Reading
Index