Survival of the Sickest Audiobook By Sharon Moalem, Jonathan Prince cover art

Survival of the Sickest

A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

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Survival of the Sickest

By: Sharon Moalem, Jonathan Prince
Narrated by: Eric Conger
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How did a deadly genetic disease help our ancestors survive the bubonic plagues of Europe? Was diabetes evolution's response to the last Ice Age? Will a visit to the tanning salon help bring down your cholesterol? Why do we age? Why are some people immune to HIV? Can your genes be turned on or off?

Survival of the Sickest reveals the answers to these and many other questions as it unravels the amazing connections between evolution, disease, and human health today.

Joining the ranks of modern myth busters, Dr. Sharon Moalem turns our current understanding of illness on its head and challenges us to fundamentally change the way we think about our bodies, our health, and our relationship to just about every other living thing on earth, from plants and animals to insects and bacteria.

Survival of the Sickest is filled with fascinating insights and cutting-edge research, presented in a way that is both accessible and utterly absorbing. This is a book about the interconnectedness of all life on earth and, especially, what that means for us. Listen to it. You're already living it.

©2007 Sharon Moalem (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers Biological Sciences Physical Illness & Disease Science Genetic disease Health Bacteria Nutrition Thought-Provoking Survival Survival Psychology

Editorial reviews

Learn how wearing sun block could raise your cholesterol and diabetes could protect you from extreme cold. Mutation, genetic transmission, and survival of the fittest form the foundation of evolutionary law, and Sharon Moalem explains how certain genetic disease states might promote continued existence. Narrator Eric Conger's brisk pace keeps the facts coming and the interest level high, but he never sounds hurried or mumbles a word. He doesn't break his rhythm with annoying pauses for quoted material or struggle with the plethora of scientific terms. The combination of an excellent narrator and well-informed writers provides information that brings the inquisitive mind up to date on genetics that apply to our everyday lives.

Critic reviews

"A lively and enthusiastic treatise." (Kirkus Reviews)
Fascinating Concepts • Thought-provoking Theories • Engaging Narration • Educational Content • Accessible Science
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Where does Survival of the Sickest rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 3.

What did you like best about this story?

Educational, but yet given with a delivery of a story.

What does Eric Conger bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Passion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just couldn't stop listening.

Any additional comments?

I searched for a part two 3 different times just in case I might of missed something! Loved this book! Will listen to it a few more times!

I wish this was a series!!!

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I love all of the seemingly non-related examples turning out to be the best explanation for whatever topic he was focusing on at any given time. Amazing

Incredible!

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Lots of new info delivered in a storytelling way. I'll listen again & recommend it to the curious.

not a disappointment!

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This was a summer reading for our AP Bio course. Needless to say, I’m hooked. Complex topics with detailed explanations, with a soothing narrator-just great.

For Any Interested in Biology

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this is a fantastic book about some theories about why we evolved the way we did. they did a great job at that

wow great intro to DNA

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This book is something everyone should take the time to read, just to give a slightly better understanding of the world we are in, and how we, as humans, evolved some of the traits and conditions we have today.

It is an interesting and educational read!

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Sharon Moalem has done each reader a great service with the book Survival of the Sickest. Each chapter is a self-contained discussion of an aspect of human health and vulnerability. Of particular interest to me were the discussion of how prenatal diet effects the unborn; males and females and how DNA from viruses comingle with out own. This is a wonderful book written to for a general audience. It is well writtten, well read, and well worth the listener's time.

Very Informative

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this audiobook as well as the book in any format. It is intriguing. The authors and narrator manage to convey excitement with provocative questions concerning the evolution of illnesses. This would be a great book for science classes in grammar and high school, etc.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Survival of the Sickest?

One of the authors' grandfather and how he wondered about his love of giving blood and then connected that experience with his later illnesses.

Which scene was your favorite?

Imagining the black death and people with hemochromatosis being able to help others. It is like the ugly duckling transformed into a swan.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I wanted a digital copy to go back over it. I keep telling people that this is the best kind of science: when the authors take you into the unexpected and yet plausible. They excite the reader as if they were detectives on the hunt for clues to understand mysterious evolutionary riddles.

Any additional comments?

Tell the authors to keep writing more along this line.

home run

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Would you listen to Survival of the Sickest again? Why?

Absolutely! Great book!

Any additional comments?

I cannot speak highly enough of this book. I could not stop listening. Not only does this book appeal to those who love science, but to those who loves stories and history as well. Learning all about how different events of the past have shaped our lives today- fascinating!

Loved it, loved it, loved it!

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Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. Deep enough to make you think, but not too technical for the layperson

Very informative

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