èƵ

A field guide for microbe watchers

The world's smallest forms of wildlife might not be visible to the naked eye, but that shouldn't stop us checking them out

WE MAY not be able to see them with the naked eye, but we can see – and hear, smell, feel and touch – the effects of micro-organisms all around us. That’s the premise of John Ingraham, who has written this introduction to bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life forms as a field guide for “microbe watchers”.

From the mundane (a smelly fish, a child with earache) to the exotic (hydrothermal vents), Ingraham presents the microbes behind so much of the world around us. He drives home the point that without these overlooked life forms we wouldn’t be here at all.

The bacterium Psychromonas ingrahamii, current record-holder for growing at the lowest temperature, is testament to the author’s academic credentials. March of the Microbes does feel at times like a thinly disguised textbook, but Ingraham’s fresh perspective makes it an engaging read nonetheless.

John L. Ingraham

Harvard University Press

Topics: Books and art

More from èƵ

Explore the latest news, articles and features