Lenore D. (Lenore) reviewed Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity on + 193 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book. The author makes it a very entertaining read, despite the serious subject matter. I liked it so much that I got a copy after reading it in the library, and sent one to my sisters as well. Fascinating, easy to understand and clear. I found the idea that viruses may have become incorporated into our DNA over our evolution an amazing idea, true or not.
Fascinating to discover the genetic advantages of diseases that today have become huge detriments, such as sickle cell anemia (resistance to malaria), and diabetes (resistance to cold weather, as sugar acts like antifreeze in the blood, and along with other specific genetic traits, helps prevent, among other things, frostbite).
It did, however, take until the end of the book and author's photo for me to realize that "Sharon Moalem" is a man. :)
Fascinating to discover the genetic advantages of diseases that today have become huge detriments, such as sickle cell anemia (resistance to malaria), and diabetes (resistance to cold weather, as sugar acts like antifreeze in the blood, and along with other specific genetic traits, helps prevent, among other things, frostbite).
It did, however, take until the end of the book and author's photo for me to realize that "Sharon Moalem" is a man. :)
Sharon E. (Sharonae44) reviewed Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Easy-reading genetic explanations of evolution of humans and disese organisms. Explanations of why some inherited affictions provided a method of survival when extremes of environment or plagues cause harsh tests for survival. The survive and reproduce imperative of all organisms may have ignored affictions that were adult onset, i.e. after reproduction. Common sense examples easily understood by the non-scientifically inclined.
Gail B. (my2sense) -
Helpful Score: 1
Content came across like a great guest on Oprah. Truly fascinating. I couldn't put it down. I found myself calling friends and reading them passages.
Hannah S. (slothmold) -
This was an interesting and enlightening read, but the author has a dangerous tendency to present his personal interpretations of correlations as fact. That's not how it works!
Scott R. (ScottR) - , reviewed Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity on
Excellent book! Completely fascinating topics throughout. Explains why some of our health issues and concerns are what they are from an evolutionary point of view. Highly recommended.
Heather T. reviewed Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity on
Very informative and a great outlet for curiosity.
Paul C. (Paul-RLT) reviewed Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity on + 176 more book reviews
Fascinating biological discussions...with many unusual perspectives. Topics include evolution, DNA/genetics, diseases, aging etc.
Some things I found particularly interesting were his discussion of primitive humans being perhaps aquatic and having childbirth in the water, cell death being programmed after about 60 divisions (shortening of telomeres), and adverse fetal or life environments triggering genetic variability.
Writing style is clear, not too simple, not too technical.
Some things I found particularly interesting were his discussion of primitive humans being perhaps aquatic and having childbirth in the water, cell death being programmed after about 60 divisions (shortening of telomeres), and adverse fetal or life environments triggering genetic variability.
Writing style is clear, not too simple, not too technical.
