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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
5.0
It's a light look at a variety of diseases and why it would be that they would continue to survive and perpetuate their genes. In the end it leaves a lot of questions, which is only right. Science often hasn't got a clue and a lot of this book is as much speculation as fact, but it admits this.
allofeternity's review against another edition
1.0
*2.5 stars*
While I found parts of this book fascinating, I also found parts to be the equivalent of sticking a fork in my eye. However, this surely isn't the fault of the author, whose writing was fantastic, but because.... I'm not a fan of science. Sorry, it's just not for me. (and this was an AP assignment, so it was mandatory reading)
Aside from the fact that some of the minutia was just not doing it for me, I didn't like how some things were just assumed to be the readers' beliefs. For example, I do not believe humans evolved from apes, but the entire last chapter was explaining different theories about how things apes used to do caused humans to have developed certain traits.
While I found parts of this book fascinating, I also found parts to be the equivalent of sticking a fork in my eye. However, this surely isn't the fault of the author, whose writing was fantastic, but because.... I'm not a fan of science. Sorry, it's just not for me. (and this was an AP assignment, so it was mandatory reading)
Aside from the fact that some of the minutia was just not doing it for me, I didn't like how some things were just assumed to be the readers' beliefs. For example, I do not believe humans evolved from apes, but the entire last chapter was explaining different theories about how things apes used to do caused humans to have developed certain traits.
mister_vincent's review against another edition
1.0
The tone of this book was incredibly demeaning, and the author fails to distinguish between well-established theories and speculation. One of the few books that I regret having read.
alpalspages's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as a required summer reading for AP Biology and was dreading picking it up for fear of textbook-style lecture writing. However, this is a book that is easily picked by a general audience, and was an interesting read, even for someone who wasn't too interested in the field of biology before reading it. My one issue with it was that—like others have mentioned—theories were introduced as hard facts at times.
liketheverb's review against another edition
3.0
Dr. Moalem uses modern evolutionary theory to take a close look at some of the world's most common diseases. He examines how diseases that plague our society like hemochromatosis, type I diabetes, and malaria once may have provided evolutionary advantage.
Dr. Moalem introduces the reader to several complex theories from fields including evolutionary biology, molecular genetics, clinical microbiology, and immunology. While oversimplified at times, his examinations give the reader exactly the relevant information delivered in easy-to-understand prose and with enough context to engage the reader and aid in the overall narrative of the story.
An excellent choice for non-scientist readers who want to learn more about evolutionary biology, infectious disease dynamics, and the way our choices and our environment affect our health.
Dr. Moalem introduces the reader to several complex theories from fields including evolutionary biology, molecular genetics, clinical microbiology, and immunology. While oversimplified at times, his examinations give the reader exactly the relevant information delivered in easy-to-understand prose and with enough context to engage the reader and aid in the overall narrative of the story.
An excellent choice for non-scientist readers who want to learn more about evolutionary biology, infectious disease dynamics, and the way our choices and our environment affect our health.
angrzy's review against another edition
4.0
Despite not being a fan of nonfiction books, Survival of the Sickest was a very engaging read. The structure of each idea being a single, separate chapter was presented in a captivating and manner that was easy to understand. The ideas of hemochromatosis, type 1 diabetes and methylation's connections to past and modern disease were thought-provoking and provided a lengthy classroom discussion.