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Hidden away within living tissues, parasites are all around us - and inside us. Yet, despite their unsavory characteristics parasites have played an enormous role in civilizations through time and around the globe.
This book puts amoebae, roundworms, tapeworms, mites, and others at the center of the action as human cultures have evolved and declined. It shows their role in exploration, war, and even terrorist plots, often through an unpredictable ripple effect.
List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Author's Note Introduction 1. Ambush Parasites that have changed human history 2. Market of Peril Parasites versus food safety regulations--is anything safe to eat? 3. Drinking-Water Advisory How parasites get into our water and what we try to do about it 4. Illegal Aliens The unintentional but persistent global movement of parasites by humans 5. Parasites in Control As in science fiction, some parasites do take over their hosts 6. In the House of Mirrors Good, bad, and imaginary--the cultural meanings and practical uses of parasites, and the power of fear 7. The Parasite Felonies Criminals who cast their lot in with parasites 8. Emerging Parasites The ones that seem to come out of nowhere, and where they really come from 9. Parasite Extinction Can we ever get rid of these unwelcome guests? Epilogue Notes Selected Bibliography and Additional Reading Index
Rosemary Drisdelle is a writer and a clinical parasitologist living in Nova Scotia.
Drisdelle is not only an experienced parasitologist and scientific author, but a creative genius... Her writing style and narrative is so entertaining that one will want to keep turning this book's pages to see what happens next.--Choice "I highly recommend taking a deeper look into Drisdelle's new book ... You'll be surprised by how much you learn and even more by how much you enjoy the read!"--Bedbug.com "Drisdelle describes biological processes lovingly and beautifully ... read Drisdelle for an education."--Times Literary Supplement (Tls) "Hookworm, roundworm, bed bugs, lice, trichinosis, sleeping sickness, scabies: these are some of the parasites and diseases that Drisdelle ably describes with mirth, occasional poetry, and an infectious scientific fascination, where the human story is an essential element of the natural history."--Scitech Book News "An interesting guide to what's eating you, literally! Not for the squeamish!"--The Guardian (Uk) / the Birdbooker Report
