I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life [Hardcover]

New York TimesBestseller

New York TimesNotable Book of 2016

NPR Great Read of 2016

EconomistBest Books of 2016

Brain Pickings Best Science Books of 2016

SmithsonianBest Books about Science of 2016

Science Friday Best Science Book of 2016

AMother JonesNotable Read of 2016

A Bill Gates “Gates Notes” Pick

MPR Best Books of 2016

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2016

Minnesota Star-TribuneBest of the Year

AKirkusBest Book of the Year

APWBest Book of the Year

GuardianBest of the Year

Times(London) Best of the Year

Joining the ranks of popular science classics likeThe Botany of DesireandThe Selfish Gene,a groundbreaking, wondrously informative, and vastly entertaining examination of the most significant revolution in biology since Darwin—a “microbe’s-eye view” of the world that reveals a marvelous, radically reconceived picture of life on earth.

Every animal, whether human, squid, or wasp, is home to millions of bacteria and other microbes. Ed Yong, whose humor is as evident as his erudition, prompts us to look at ourselves and our animal companions in a new light—less as individuals and more as the interconnected, interdependent multitudes we assuredly are.

The microbes in our bodies are part of our immune systems and protect us from disease. In the deep oceans, mysterious creatures without mouths or guts depend on microbes for all their energy. Bacteria provide squid with invisibility cloaks, help beetles to bring down forests, and ló"