People, Parasites, and Plowshares

Dickson D. Despommier's vivid, visceral account of the biology, behavior, and history of parasites follows the interplay between these fascinating life-forms and human society over thousands of years. Concentrating on particularly remarkable and often highly pathogenic organisms, Despommier describes their life cycles and the mechanisms they use to avoid elimination. He explains their attack and survival plans and the nature of the illnesses they cause in general terms, enabling...
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Dickson D. Despommier's vivid, visceral account of the biology, behavior, and history of parasites follows the interplay between these fascinating life-forms and human society over thousands of years. Concentrating on particularly remarkable and often highly pathogenic organisms, Despommier describes their life cycles and the mechanisms they use to avoid elimination. He explains their attack and survival plans and the nature of the illnesses they cause in general terms, enabling readers of all backgrounds to steal a glimpse into the secret work of such effective invaders. He also points to the cultural contexts in which these parasites thrive and reviews the current treatments available to defeat them. Encouraging scientists to continue to study these organisms even if their threat is largely contained, Despommier shows how closer dissection of the substances parasites produce could help unravel some of our most complex medical conundrums.