Survival of the Sickest LP [Large Print] [Paperback]

Sharon Moalem (Author), Jonathan Prince (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2007

In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, a leading medical researcher in the emerging fields of neurogenetics and evolutionary medicine, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical new way of thinking about survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Dr. Moalem investigates peculiar and puzzling features of human biology to reveal the answers to such provocative questions as: / Why do we need to pee when we're cold? / Can a person rust to death? / Why are Greeks hairier than Africans? / Can the tanning salon lower cholesterol? / Why are leeches back in vogue? / Can sunglasses cause sunburns? / Who gets drunk faster -- Europeans or Asians? / Why are African Americans more prone to hypertension? In considering the question of why diseases exist, Dr Moalem proposes that most coming diseases came into existence for very good reasons. Diabetes, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia may all exist because, at some time in our past, they helped our ancestors survive some grand challenge to human existence. In turn, he also discovers that genetic and cultural differences have led to each race having different and unique ways of reacting to their environment and subsequently how they become susceptible to certain diseases. Survival of the Sickest is a book about life -- yours, ours and every little living thing under the sun. About how we all got here, where we're all going and what we can do about it. Revelatory and written in an utterly engaging fashion, Sharon Moalem's book changes the way we think about our own bodies.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“CSI meets Freakonomics meets Bill Nye the Science Guy.” (Edmonton Journal (Alberta) )

MED History does not always receive a great deal of attention...this book shows exactly why it shouldn’t be ignored. (Library Journal )

“[a] fascinating new book...[Moalem] has a way of turning complicated biology into captivating stories.” (Body + Soul )

“fascinating, enlightening and reader-friendly...This is one not-to-be-missed fantastic journey across the evolutionary landscape of humankind. (Rocky Mountain News )

“A lively and enthusiastic treatise” (Kirkus Reviews )

“[It] will challenge everything you thought you knew about disease. Fascinating!” (Memet Oz, co-author of YOU: The Owners Manuel )

About the Author

Sharon Moalem has a Ph.D. in the emerging fields of neurogenetics and evolutionary medicine. His research has discovered a new genetic association for familial Alzheimer disease. He has also published on the adaptive advantages of the genetic mutations that cause Hemochromatosis. He continues to work as a researcher while finishing his medical training at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He lives in New York City. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: HarperLuxe; 1 Lgr edition (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061232963
• ISBN-13: 978-0061232961
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,820,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a terrific read, June 8, 2009

By 

rosy robin ross (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Survival of the Sickest LP (Paperback)

I read this book in one-two sittings. Loved his simple yet engaging writing style and the amazing connections I made through everything I learned. The author is a great teacher.