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The Secret Life of Germs: What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them
 
 
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The Secret Life of Germs: What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them [Paperback]

Philip M. Ph.D. Tierno Jr. (Author)
3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 30, 2003
They're on everything we touch, eat, and breathe in -- on every inch of skin. And despite the advances of science, germs are challenging medicine in ways that were unimaginable ten years ago. No wonder the world is up in arms -- and using antibacterial soaps.

From the common cold, E. coli, and Lyme disease to encephalitis, mad cow disease, and flesh-eating bacteria, Tierno takes readers on a historical survey of the microscopic world. Rebuffing scare tactics behind recent "germ events" Tierno explains how the recycling of matter is the key to life. Yes, he'll tell you why it's a good idea to clean children's toys, why those fluffy towels may not be so clean, and why you never want to buy a second-hand mattress, but he also reveals that there is a lot we can do to prevent germ-induced suffering. You'll never look at anything the same way again.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

Norman F. Cantor Author of the New York Times bestseller In the Wake of the Plague At last, here is an authoritative yet readable account by a distinguished medical scientist. This book will likely change your lifestyle and lead to popular demand for environmental changes. You know how you always vaguely worried about germs in public places? The true story is worse than you could have imagined.

Edward J. Bottone, Ph.D. Professor of medicine, microbiology and pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Tierno takes the reader on a masterful journey through the world of germs, sharing his wisdom along the way on checking their spread in every facet of our daily activities. He serves up intricate concepts in a delicious, palatable manner that only a lifetime of battlefield experience can bestow. Extremely informative and useful.

Melanie Maslow, M.D., F.A.C.P. Chief, Infectious Diseases Section, New York Veterans Administration Medical Center, assistant professor of clinical medicine, New York University School of Medicine In this expertly written book, Dr. Philip Tierno shares his encyclopedic knowledge of microorganisms along with lessons from evolution, archaeology, history, immunology, and his research to create a comprehensive reference. Although written for nonprofessionals, all health-care providers have something to learn from this book.

Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D. Alfred E. Mirsky Professor and head of Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University An authoritative and highly readable overview of the fascinating world of infectious microorganisms. Dr. Tierno relates fascinating tales of scientific detection, provides interesting insights into the adaptability of the pathogens themselves to attempts by humans to control them, and gives practical advice on minimizing the risk of infection.

Robert A. Press, M.D., Ph.D. Clinical associate professor of medicine and chairman, Antibiotics Committee, NYU Medical Center Essential reading for all who are concerned with their health and with the health of others. It dispels many myths about disease transmission and elucidates simple precautions that would result in our being a healthier society.

About the Author

Philip M. Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., helped solve the mystery behind toxic shock syndrome. He is Director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at New York University Medical Center and is a member of the faculty at NYU School of Medicine. He has appeared on such shows as 20/20, Oprah, Dateline, and PrimeTime. Dr. Tierno lives in a suburb of New York.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Atria Books (December 30, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743421884
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743421881
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Superficial Analysis, December 7, 2005
By 
E. Wood (Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Secret Life of Germs: What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them (Paperback)
This book is good if you want to be warned over and over to wash your hands! If you are looking for the difference between viruses and bacteria, actual scientific references or interesting facts about how germs and bacteria live, reproduce and colonize us - look elsewhere. This book was too preachy and didn't have enough information for anyone with a genuine interest in biology, human physiology, or health.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Germs Revealed!, June 23, 2005
This review is from: The Secret Life of Germs: What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them (Paperback)
I'm a stay-at-home mom who hangs out with two other moms who are extremes of each other - one who is a self-described germ-phobe and the other who doesn't do anything at all. I knew there was a middle ground, but what was it? This book told me exactly what I needed to know, plus I learned some interesting history & science along the way. Warning - I believe the author intends this book for mass consumption, but often he wanders into somewhat technical descriptions. Which is fine if you enjoy reading science (ask yourself, would I read National Geographic, Scientific American, Popular Science, or the like?). And interestingly, this book is scary AND reassuring at the same time. Definitely helpful for arming yourself with facts against all the germ myths out there. Required reading for all moms, I would say.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Informative and Fun, February 2, 2007
By 
K Culbertson (Greensboro, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Secret Life of Germs: What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them (Paperback)
Not at all a dry, scientific read. You'll never look at New York city the same after reading this!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Think of Howard Hughes, and what comes to mind Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
protective response strategies, reconditioned mattresses, carrion avoidance, synthetic tampons, resident germs, infectious germs, normal human flora, germ threats, skin germs, germ world, germ factory, stomach viruses, anthrax bacilli, normal gut flora, normal skin flora, pathogenic germs, early human beings, other germs, normal vaginal flora, asthma rates, dangerous germs, prion disease, proper hand washing, normal flora, many germs
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York City, Protective Response Strategy, Third World, West Nile, Protective Response Strategies, Great Britain, Louis Pasteur, Civil War, Rhode Island, Middle East, World War, Howard Hughes, Medical Center, New Jersey, Fort Detrick, Pat Kehm, Barry Marshall, Long Island Sound, Rocky Mountain, Black Death, College Point, Jim Henson, Joseph Lister, Las Vegas
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