Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends [Hardcover]

Mary Ruebush (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 6, 2009

"The archetypal link between dirt and guilt, and cleanliness and innocence is built into our language," says journalist Katherine Ashenburg. But Dr. Mary Ruebush counters that with the fact that Western civilization's obsession with antibacterial soaps and our quest to be clean all the time is actually making us sick.

Why Dirt is Good is a fun look at the plus side of dirt and germs. Complete with cartoons, the book features irreverant yet medically sound advice that illustrates how we can become healthier by exposing ourselves to a bit of dirt and germs. Divided into four parts, the book will explore through text and cartoons:

Part 1

• Dirt = good, antibiotics = bad

Part 2

• How your immune system really works
• How the immune system develops in children

Part 3

• What a germ or bug is trying to do to prolong its life in the presence of antibacterials and antibiotics

Part 4

• What you can do to make your immune system healthier

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her first book, microbiology and immunology teacher Ruebush demonstrates a lively mastery of her subject, providing a better education in immunology than a convincing case for the idea that "the most delightful sights for a parent should be a young child covered in dirt from an active afternoon of outdoor play." Her thesis, reiterated throughout, is that obsessive cleanliness is counterproductive: a "young, naïve immune system" needs exposure to germs "to build the ability to produce the right response quickly." Arguing that evolution has conditioned us to coexist with the microscopic threats around us-a human body typically harbors "some 90 trillion microbes"-Ruebush considers the legacy of "superbugs" bred through the overuse of antibiotics and cleaning products, and dismisses vaccination fears as ridiculous ("not even a question"). Ruebush presents a step-by-step guide to the workings of the immune system that should inform readers new to the subject, but her breezy and repetitive approach to arguing her thesis probably won't win over any doubters.
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About the Author

Mary Ruebush, PhD., is an award-winning teacher whose studies on germs and bacteria have been published in several scholarly journals. She is the author of the Immunology step 1 lecture notes, and coauthor of Microbiology.  Currently she teaches exclusively with Kaplan Medical as an instructor of Immunology and Microbiology for Step 1 USMLE review.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing; 1 edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1427798044
• ISBN-13: 978-1427798046
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Instructor of Microbiology and Immunology for Becker's Falcon Physician Reviews. 20 years teaching USMLE Step 1 reviews for COMPASS, Kaplan, and now Falcon. Author of Kaplan Lecture notes in Immunology, co-author of Kaplan Microbiology lecture notes.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, sweet and convincing March 2, 2009

By Kristine Lofgren VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In this book, Mary Ruebush makes the case that we need to get a little "dirtier" if we want to improve our health and the health of generations to come.

Laid out in 5 different sections, this book explains how we have created "super-germs" and have actually lowered our immune response with our use of anti-bacterials and our hyper-cleanliness and how a little dirt and allowing our immune system to actually do its job will make us healthier in the long run. She shows that the use antibiotics, except in the most serious cases, actually weakens our immunity and how your immune system tends to become lazy and ineffective if it isn't given a job. She also explains the importance of vaccinations. Explained in simple terms and accompanied by cartoons, this book is a super quick read and based in solid scientific evidence. I give it four stars only because it is less an actual book and more like a hard-bound essay it is so short.

After taking an hour to read this book front to end, I found myself taking a deep breath and resolving to follow the advice laid out in this book, despite my germ-o-phobia, that is how convincing and solid this book is.

I would recommend this book to anyone curious about "Why dirt is good", but particularly those with babies or parents-to-be, as that is the primary audience that this book is aimed at. Not only will you find yourself having a better understanding of how our immune system works, you will find yourself better armed to deal with the day to day life with germs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dirt is good August 26, 2011

By R. P. Stratton

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The author of this very readable little book makes the case that children should experience germs in order to acquire immunity. I have passed this book on to friends who have children and are almost paranoid about germs, using antibacterial hand soap, etc., at every opportunity. As a psychologist, I extent this idea to include acquiring immunity, or resiliance, through childhood by experiencing life's disappointments, such as losing in sports and friendships, so children can learn to cope with the little things before having to cope with similar big things later in life. Unfortunately too many parents today are over-protective and shelter their children from disappointments.

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone with children needs to read this book. June 6, 2013

By ccgabe

Format:Hardcover

She explains why a little dirt is a good thing and why too clean is a bad thing. My grand kids should be really healthy. A couple days ago my 1.5 year old grandson was sitting in the sandbox just grinning away with a mouth full of d sand and dirt.

5.0 out of 5 stars clear and interesting January 31, 2013

By sari azrak

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Its a short book, but full of interesting and helpful pieces of knowledge. the material was presented very clearly and concisely, most of it in terms that normal people can comprehend. it explains clearly how normal household germs strengthen the immune system, and how the ultra hygienic times we live in can actually weaken it and increase allergies to common items. every germophobe should study this from end to end! germs are good!

5.0 out of 5 stars Every expectant or young mother should read! November 30, 2012

By Joy Phelps

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

There would be a lot less sick kiddos out there if all moms would learn to understand the scientific reasons for letting your children get dirty and enjoy being a kid!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Dirt My Friend February 23, 2010

By Sudeep A. Chitnis

Format:Hardcover

[[ASIN:1427798044 Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends] was a book that caught my attention for its title than any thing. A book where the author true to the her word argues how can simple thing that we think that could be dangerous for our health can be actually be our friend.
What makes it more interesting is her way of explaining the whole complex medical terms for a layman. Let me tell you I have read many medical reviews , but this has been the most easiest and simplest to understand.
Although the message of the author is very crystal clear, she also proves her point with ways to use this theory in practice which is very pleasing to read.

The reviewer was compensated for posting this review. However, the opinion stated in the review is that of the reviewer and the reviewer alone. Further, the reviewer independently selected this product to review and has no affiliation with the product maker/distributor, Amazon or the review requester

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Why dirt is good March 13, 2009

By Peter Tuttle

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've always told my in-laws that I ate more dirt as a child than they did, and that is why I don't get as many minor colds and ills. Now I've got the science to back up my claim!

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Dirt is Good book review. October 19, 2009

By Caitlin

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very good book. I really liked the information in it and it was easy to read. It is a helpful book.