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the_slackening's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
It was fairly interesting with a lot of new info. The green crab in California is certainly a huge concern. It was fascinating to learn that female genes push back on fetus development to try to preserve resources while male genes accelerate the fetus, because the male wants babies as fast as possible but the Female wants to survive.
The book was a bit of a slog at many points, however.
The book was a bit of a slog at many points, however.
jabarkas's review against another edition
5.0
A really intriguing and excellent science read. Lots of very exciting evolutionary theory which tied in nicely with the considerably fluffier Brief History of Nearly Everything. If I were to criticize, I would say that Zimmer is very much prone to the vice of scientific enthusiasm.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Parasite Rex is about parasites and the history of parasitology. Nature is pretty gross. That's about the only way I can think of o describe this book.
Let me tell you, there are some crazy creatures out there. I'm going to gloss over the hundreds of thousands of species of tapeworms and parasitic wasps and go to the really crazy ones. Like Cymothoa exigua, a crustacean that replaces a fish's tongue, or Sacculina, a barnacle-like parasite that uses a crab like a puppet. And that's just the tip of the disgusting iceberg.
Did you know parasites influence the behavior of their hosts in any number of ways? Like putting heir host in danger in order to perpetuate their life cycle? Crazy stuff.
It's not all great, though. It could have used more pictures and the writing stye could be a little more accessible. Still, it's an informative read and made me wonder why we aren't all riddled with parasites.
Let me tell you, there are some crazy creatures out there. I'm going to gloss over the hundreds of thousands of species of tapeworms and parasitic wasps and go to the really crazy ones. Like Cymothoa exigua, a crustacean that replaces a fish's tongue, or Sacculina, a barnacle-like parasite that uses a crab like a puppet. And that's just the tip of the disgusting iceberg.
Did you know parasites influence the behavior of their hosts in any number of ways? Like putting heir host in danger in order to perpetuate their life cycle? Crazy stuff.
It's not all great, though. It could have used more pictures and the writing stye could be a little more accessible. Still, it's an informative read and made me wonder why we aren't all riddled with parasites.
euse42's review against another edition
5.0
This book totally changed the way I think about the entire world. That doesn't happen very often.
exhuman's review against another edition
5.0
"What on Earth could have driven the evolution of an Anal Cannon? Parasites could."
katyroscoe's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into this book, but once I gave it the attention it deserves, I found it equally fascinating and horrifying. This is a wonderful book about an often overlooked ecosystem inhabitant - the parasite.