Good Germs, Bad Germs
Sach's Guide to Health and Survival in a Bacterial World
A review and examination of Jessica Snyder Sach's Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World.
Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World, by Jessica Snyder Sachs, is an exploration of humans' interactions with bacteria throughout time with an emphasis on modern history and developments of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, such as the widespread use of antibiotics in people and animals for both therapeutic and non-therapeutive, or preventative, measures.
The book's prologue begins with a narrative about Ricky Lannetti and his battle with antibiotic resistant MRSA, a particularly destructive strain of Staph. This narrative begins Sach's exploration of how humans and bacteria coexist and how this once symbiotic relationship of man and bug is transforming with the development of new antibiotics and evolving bacteria.
Sach explores stories of patients infected with bacteria, patients who use bacteria as part of a CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) treatment, doctors who developed and are developing new antibiotics, food companies exploring the use of probiotics in their products, and microbiologists who are discovering how bacteria evolve, share information, and develop antibiotic resistance.
Structure of the Book
Unlike many non-fiction science books, such as The Brain That Changes Itself, Good Germs, Bad Germs is organized into seven distinct parts plus a very brief coda, rather than the standard chapters that readers have come to expect.
Sachs' book begins with a brief glossary of seven key terms used throughout the book. The glossary explains these sometimes complex parts of scientific jargon in laymen's terms.
Each of the seven parts in the main section of the park are well-organized and each part includes specific and well researched examples with copious supporting endnotes.
The glossary, coupled with Sachs' accessible writing and concise well titled sections within each part, makes her ideas available to readers of all levels and backgrounds. A specialized advanced degree in science isn't necessary to enjoy reading Good Germs, Bad Germs.
Who Should Read This Book
Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World is recommended for anyone concerned with the proliferation of antibiotics in our bodies and in our food. Hopefully this book will allow patients to make better informed decisions regarding their use of broad spectrum antibiotics for common ailments and maladies.
Good Germs, Bad Germs is also recommended reading for high school and college students considering majors or careers in the biological sciences, specifically microbiology.
Publishing Information
Sachs, Jessica Snyder. Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World. 290 pages. Hill and Wang (October 16, 2007). ISBN: 0-8090-5063-3
