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

All animals—from people to squid and wasps—are home to countless bacteria and microbes. Ed Yong invites us to consider ourselves and our living companions inside us as part of a large interconnected system, where microbes play an important role. They help our immune system protect us from diseases, provide energy for mysterious ocean creatures, give squid a cloak of invisibility, help beetles destroy forests, and create unique smells in animals. Many people think microbes need to be eradicated, but in reality they play a key role in shaping our health, individuality, and abilities. This book invites us on an astonishing journey through our inner universe, changing our understanding of nature and of ourselves.