Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

Not at all a dry, scientific read. You'll never look at New York city the same after reading this!

As a microbiologist, I found the history of germs and the descriptions of various diseases and their etiologic agents well done. However, Tierno's disease preventive advice is, in many cases, way over the top. Although he understands well the ubiquity of microorganisms, he panics at the thought of their presence on the skin of a healthy person and in food.. How many of us think it is necessary, in all cases, to use a handkerchief on a door knob, or excessively clean the anal area after going to the toilet? After finishing this book the reader may not know which advice is excellent (wash your hands well and frequently) or is excessive (always discard food that has dropped on the floor.)

This book is just irritating. The author is too phobic about microbial life. And you can tell that by his descriptions on how to wash your hands and just clean, clean, clean. He instructs you to use anti-bacterial soaps and even obtain a cutting board coated with anti-microbial substance... Anti-bacterial soaps protect you against 99.9% of some bacteria. That other little percent is what can kill you. Furthermore, every time you use anti-bacterial soap or hand sanitizers, you are getting rid of the normal friendly bacteria that is naturally on your skin.. Getting rid of that leads to annoying infections which would have been easily prevented if one didn't use such products.. And also, chemicals in anti-bacterial soaps have recently been linked to mess with hormone function in humans. If you work in a hospital or such, then definitely you need to use these products.. But the average person who works an office job shouldn't be so cautious and ignorant.
I guess the mission of the book is to instruct people on how to combat microbes and live life with the constant fear and phobia of getting sick.

This used-very good book is beyond what I expected. It's like a new one. It comes at the right time. I will order from this seller again next time. Thanks very much!

This book will save you discomfort and trips to the doctor at the very least, and your life at the most. It is not only the most informative book I've ever read, it also reads as quickly as a novel. Never before has a science book been written in such accessible language. A masterpiece!

Somewhat interesting and practical but none of the icky pictures and scary stories I was looking for. Lots of handwashing!!

The author has done his research and tells you more about germs than you ever wanted to know. He also tells you how to avoid getting sick and how to clean just about everything properly. However, I could've done without the instruction on how to clean my anus. Yes, that really is in the book. After reading it, I was also left wondering how the human race has managed to survive. Putting the paranoia aside, the book had lots of useful information and good cleaning tips.

I never received this book and I don't know how to get in touch with any other to get my money back.