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Genetics |
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Mean Genes: From
Sex to Money to Food, Taming Our Primal Instincts
Terry Burnham, Ph.D.,
and Jay Phelan, Ph.D.2000.
A very interesting,
thought-provoking discussion of how our genetic heritage influences our
behavior and what we might be able to do about it.
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Survival of the
Sickest
Dr. Sharon Moalem. 2007.
A fascinating look at the
interaction between our genetic diseases and infectious diseases.
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Biology |
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Mosquito: A
Natural History of Our Most Persistent and Deadly Foe.
Andrew Spielman, Sc.D. & Michael D'Antonio. 2001.
A very readable book about the insects that spread
some of the most dangerous infectious diseases.
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The Dangerous
World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and
Conservationists. Peter Laufer, Ph.D. 2009
A very thorough look at the complex consequences of our admiration and fascination with butterflies. The good, the bad,
and the ugly aspects of our conflicting desires to protect and to
possess butterflies.
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Microbiology |
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The Demon Under
The Microscope. Thomas Hager. 2006
The story of Dr. Gerhard
Domagk and his discovery of the first antibacterial "miracle drug". This
book is a biography of the man and a history of his times and the world
of pharmaceuticals. The book provides perspective on how dangerous
bacterial infections before the age of antibiotics, and how frustrating
to physicians.
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Plague: A
Story of Science, Rivalry, and the Scourge That Won't Go Away.
Edward Marriott.2002.
The story of the
search for the organism responsible for Bubonic Plague. It is also
a story of how science and scientists sometimes work. Good, clear
presentation of the epidemiology and pathology of Yersinia pestis.
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Viruses vs.
Superbugs: A Solution to the Antibiotic Crisis?
Thomas Hausler, 2006.
The book is primarily
an argument for the use of bacteriophage (viruses that infect bacteria) as
antibacterial treatments, and make the point well. The book also
provides a very good history of the discovery of bacteriophage, and of the
therapeutic use of bacteriophage in eastern Europe. |
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Miscellaneous |
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Every Patient Tells a
Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis
Lisa Sanders, M.D.. 2009
Presented as
a book of mysteries, this book is an examination of the interaction between
physician and patient, and of the changing world of medicine, as well as
telling some of the stories of patients with interesting and difficult
medical conditions. A good read, it will also have you thinking about
how you and your physician interact. |
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The World
According to Pimm: a scientist audits the Earth.
Stuart L. Pimm, Ph.D.. 2001.
Have you ever wondered
about just how many people the Earth is capable of supporting? This book
examines that question in a clear and step-by-step manner. The book is very easy
to read (he does the math for you) and thought-provoking, and still relevant
nearly a decade after publication.
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In The Wake of
The Plague: The Black Death & The World It Made
Norman F. Cantor, 2001.
This book is a
compelling read on the impact the 14th century European Black Death epidemic
had on Western civilization. While the science in the book is well written and researched, this
is primarily a book of history and a well reasoned argument that the 14th century epidemic
reshaped the course of European history. The appendix contains a wealth of
scholarly resources for those interested in digging deeper.
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