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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “BEST. BOOK. EVER. One fascinating page after another crammed with explanations for all kinds of stuff. He started right out by answering a question I've wondered about for years, and got bonus points for telling me my own wild guess was correct. He got to the childbirth part and I thought,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“A Lyn suggestion/loan.
Joshua T wrote this review Tuesday, October 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Only through Chapter 1, but an interesting and quick read so far filled with tidbits both science-oriented (role of iron in relation to our health and disease) and trivia (the red/white barber pole originated from the barber's role in blood-letting, aka phlebotomy, with the bottom brass ball representing the blood-collecting basin; the top ball representing the leech bowl; and the red stripes signifying the bloodied bandages wrapped around the pole to dry and then spiraling around with the wind... apocryphal? I dont know...).
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Finished. Well, firstly, this book isnt really about "why we need disease," although this question is the focus of several early chapters and is a recurring theme. The book, to my mind, was more an investigation of interesting cases and theories involving biology, with a genetics focus. It is filled with interesting facts to ponder and consider, which is perfect for someone (like me) who is interested not only in what medical scientists currently accept as true, but in learning the questions that are attaching those knowns (as Rumsfeld once kind of said in a less appropriate and more manipulative context, "there are known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns": I am referring to the known unknowns).
My biggest qualm is a lack of depth in the scientific explanations. I would have preferred more discussion of the biology; instead, the most interesting tidbits were experimental results and case studies-- the science is added on at the end, but often times I came away with only a defined term of jargon, rather than an understanding of a biological mechanism.
I read this simultaneously with Suicide, Sex, Power. That book discusses many of the same topics, but in greater depth and with a different focus (the focus is on the mitochondria's role in cells, evolution, etc). Both are interesting, and "Survival of the Sickest" is a quicker read; however, I recommend S,S,P for those who want a more detailed look. ”
“Very awesome book...”
Jade M wrote this review Wednesday, September 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sometimes the style is not so great, but the facts read like a good mystery.”
Gregg M wrote this review Tuesday, September 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Interesting and rarely boring description of the interplay between disease and evolution.”
Phillip D wrote this review Monday, August 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It has started out just amazing. It talks about the long range effects of our ancestors having had certain diseases (such as bubonic plague!) and surviving and what kinds of changes it has made in the genetic material of the body of a personin this day and age (as an effect of descending from this ancestor). It also talks about why so many indian people in t his day and time have diabetes. Generationally, their ancestors ate what would be an excellent Atkins diet (lots of protein). Their bodies are geared for that. It also tells of Middle European people have too much iron in their body ~ why and how that came to be. Fascinating stuff!”
Northanna_2001 wrote this review Wednesday, May 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“BEST. BOOK. EVER. One fascinating page after another crammed with explanations for all kinds of stuff. He started right out by answering a question I've wondered about for years, and got bonus points for telling me my own wild guess was correct. He got to the childbirth part and I thought, oh, great, here's where the whole book goes splat -- BUT HE HAS NOT ONLY READ ELAINE MORGAN, HE GETS THAT SHE IS RIGHT! If only this book had been twice as long!”
Eileen M wrote this review Tuesday, May 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“thought provoking”
Everette D wrote this review Tuesday, April 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Fascinating insight into why diseases exist from an evolutionary stand point. ”
Jena P wrote this review Thursday, March 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A riveting page-turner that made me even more in awe of evolution and life on earth. A must-read!”
scootergrrl wrote this review Monday, January 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
