Diamond, Jared. 1997. Guns, germs,
and steel : the fates of human societies. W.W. Norton & Co.
(1st ed.), New York, and in the Main Library. The author tries to explain
why the industrial revolution developed in Euro-Asia and the subsequent European
domination of societies in the Western hemisphere and east Asia. Diseases
spread by early European explorers are proposed to play a major role.
An interesting series of speculations on how civilization developed from aboriginal
societies. Suggested by Barny Whitman,
Koneman, Elmer. 2002. The Other End of the
Microscope: the Bacteria Tell Their Own Story. ASM Press, ISBN:
1-55581-227-9, and in the Science Library. This description is from
the ASM website:
"This entertaining new book offers a unique and fascinating look at the relationship
between bacteria and humans. Told from the bacteria's perspective, the microbes
use allegories and myths to illustrate their discontent with the ways in which
humans have treated them, most notably the derogatory manner in which they
often are named. The Other End of the Microscope provides readers with clever
sketches of a variety of microbes. Their internal structure, niches and habitats,
physiology, modes of survival, association with human diseases, and mechanisms
of antibiotic resistance are covered - all from the bacteria's points of view.
Readers will be delighted by the antics of these bacteria and will gain new
insights into the activities of this hidden world, where microbes can protect
themselves against virtually any natural or human-invented adversity. The
fantasy culminates in a gathering at which the bacteria have a contest to
rename Homo sapiens, in an attempt to sensitize humans to be more prudent
in the naming of future species of bacteria, accentuating their positive,
rather than negative, qualities. In turning the tables Dr. Koneman offers
a unique way to see the world from a different perspective. Scientists, students
and teachers, and the science-interested lay public will all be captivated,
entertained, and educated by this extraordinary tale."
Suggested by Sandra Haddad
Zinsser, Hans. 1935. Rats, Lice and
History. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers : Distributed by
Workman Pub. Co., [1996], New York, and in the Science Library. Tells
the role that infectious diseases play in the outcome of major historical
events. Good book for all with any interest in history of microbes.
Suggested by Harry Dailey
De Kruif, Paul. 1926. Microbe
Hunters. Harcourt Brace, [c1996 ] San Diego, and in the Science
Library. Somewhat old (1926) book on the history of major scientists.
Has recently received some critism for the presence of some non-PC phrases/views.
Good book for younger readers to learn about microbe hunters. Suggested
by Harry Dailey.
Geison, Gerald L. 1995. The private
science of Louis Pasteur. Princeton University Press, and in
the Science Library. Very interesting book that tells a different side
of Pasteur. This book will not be a favorite of those who worship Pasteur.
Suggested by Harry Dailey
Dixon, Bernard. 1994. Power unseen:
How microbes rule the world. W.H.Freeman and Co. Dixon
will be familiar to many microbiologists as a regular contributor to ASM News,
where he provides short and non-technical stories about microorganisms and
advances in studying them. In this book he combines seventy-five short
vignettes about how microorganisms have shaped human history, and may shape
our future. It¹s an easy read with many amusing anecdotes and almost
no technical information or jargon. Suggested by Eric Stabb
Taylor, Michael Ray. 1999. Dark Life:
Martian nanobacteria, rock-eating cave bugs, and other extreme organisms of
inner earth and outer space. Scribner Press, and in the Science Library.
The author is a journalist and accomplished caver who has (through spelunking)
acquired an amateur interest in microbiology. The narrative of Taylor's
pursuits is that of an adventure story with various plots, interesting venues,
and significant character development (many scientists and cavers alike, sure
are 'characters'). Suggested by Janice Flory
Barker, Kathy. 1998. At the Bench.
A laboratory navigator. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
A good introduction to working in a biological research laboratory. Recommended
for beginning graduate. Suggested by Harry Dailey.