After a lot of writing and a lot of waiting, the first review of my next book, Microcosm, has just come out. Actually, it’s coming out on Monday in Publisher’s Weekly, but they apparently couldn’t wait, sending out a link to it today in their weekly newsletter:
When most readers hear the words E. coli, they think tainted hamburger or toxic spinach. Noted science writer Zimmer says there are in fact many different strains of E. coli, some coexisting quite happily with us in our digestive tracts. These rod-shaped bacteria were among the first organisms to have their genome mapped, and today they are the toolbox of the genetic engineering industry and even of high school scientists. Zimmer (Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea) explains that by scrutinizing the bacteria’s genome, scientists have discovered that genes can jump from one species to another and how virus DNA has become tightly intertwined with the genes of living creatures all the way up the tree of life to humans. Studying starving E. coli has taught us about how our own cells age. Advocates of intelligent design often produce the E. coli flagellum as Exhibit A, but the author shows how new research has shed light on the possible evolutionary arc of the flagellum. Zimmer devotes a chapter to the ethical debates surrounding genetic engineering. Written in elegant, even poetic prose, Zimmer’s well-crafted exploration should be required reading for all well-educated readers.
They said it, not me. You have no choice–you must own it.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Congrats! Can’t wait to read it. Beautiful cover, by the way.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I just recently started appreciating the far-reaching importance of this bacterium. No convincing needed on my side to buy the book, especially after reading your glowing first review. I really hope it ends up being a bestseller for you!
February 16th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Yup,
You are right, Mr. Zimmer. A must-buy, must-read book.
I have enjoyed your other books (and your articles and your blog) immensely. Looking forward to reading this!
Congratulations on a fine review and thank you for writing.
a fan
February 16th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Congrats!
February 16th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
If you mention the terms beneficial, or commensal, in relation to E.coli and the human gut I will have no choice but to write you a very angry e-mail!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Happy to oblige, Carl… Just give me the time to finish “The descent of man”…
And your old book on fish and whales…
Gawrsh!!!
February 21st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I mus buy this book
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
Carl,
There’s been something I’ve been dying for, and here’s as good a place as any to mention it: real coffee-table editions of your books, meaning lavishly illustrated throughout rather than with a couple of meagre (though nice in themselves) wedges of pictures in the middle. When I’m reading about the different stages parasites go through and so on I want to see it – I want to see the flukes pouring from the toad and all that. And I want books that visitors will ohh and ahh (and eww) over, books that will last for years and that my kids will stumble across a decade from now and show to their fascinated and horrified friends… Pretty pretty please, do tell your publisher!!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I enjoyed 3 of your other books: Parasite Rex, Evolution and Soul Made Flesh, so I will definitely be getting this book. Also I am a 3rd year microbiology student so I should be fairly knowledgeable on this books subject.