First published 2016
Albert Marrin takes readers into the microscopic battlefield where humans have fought their oldest enemies since the dawn of time. He examines fleas, ticks, lice, bedbugs, worms, mites, leeches, and maggots to show how these tiny invaders colonize our bodies and shape our lives. Marrin explains what makes a creature parasitic and traces the methods these organisms use to penetrate human defenses. He documents both sides of their impact: parasites have rescued wounded soldiers and helped heal patients, but they have also killed billions throughout history. The book combines scientific explanation with historical accounts to show how these creatures have influenced human civilization. Photographs and illustrations reveal the hidden anatomy of our uninvited guests. Marrin transforms disgust into understanding as he exposes the complex relationship between predator and host that has persisted across millennia.
Genres: history, science, non-fiction, biology, academic, science-nature
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: informative
208 pages · Paperback · Puffin Books