New Guinea Tapeworms and Jewish Grandmothers: Tales of Parasites and People

Parasitology is by a lot of scientists and doctors in the western world considered to be an outpost, an area where you are going to work if you are not too serious about your career. Moreover, all those parasites have completely outlandish names which you could mostly not remember, even if your life depended on it. Apart from the fact that parasites are really important pathogens in developing countries, they are also coming more and more to the western world as well, with increased travel and worldwide business, so a good reason to know more about them.The stories in the books from Mr. Desowitz show that parasites are not only an interesting study objects, but that you can write very funny stories about them as well. This is probably one of the best books to get people interested in parasites, namely wrting stories which you can remember (and tell people on birthday parties) even when you are not an accomplished parasitologist.

This is a quick read understandable to anyone who has taken college biology. Desowitz's presentation is primarily anecdotal this makes for quick reading, but also whets the appetite for more information. I recommend "Yellow Fever, Black Goddess : The Coevolution of People and Plagues" by Chrisopher Wills for a more in-depth and contemporary discussion of mosquito-borne parasites and the evolution of disease.

Highly readable! An engaging look into the secret world of parasites and our changing world. This will amaze and startle those who fell asleep in biology class