Virusphere

by Frank Ryan

A fascinating and long overdue examination of viruses – from what they are and what they do, to the vital role they have played in human history.

What are viruses? Do they rely on genes, like all other forms of life? Do they follow the same patterns of evolution as plants and animals?

Frank Ryan answers these questions and many more in a sweeping tour of illnesses caused by viruses. For example, the common cold, measles, chicken pox, herpes and mumps, rubella, as well as less familiar examples, such as rabies, breakbone’ fever, hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, and virus-induced cancers. Along the way, readers will learn about the behaviors and ultimate goals of viruses, gaining a deeper understanding of their importance in relation to the origins and the evolution of life, as well as they ways viruses have changed us at the most intimate level, to help make us quintessentially human.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Medical, Medicine, History, Health

350 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2019

About the author

Frank Ryan is a consultant physician in the UK as well as being an innovative evolutionary biologist, who has introduced the concepts of aggressive symbiosis to virology, and the concepts of genomic creativity and the holobiontic human genome to the story of human evolution. His major scientific interest has been the pioneering and development of the concept of viruses as symbionts, thus bringing together the disciplines of evolutionary virology and symbiology. He has a major interest in the evolution of the human genome and the implications this has for medicine.

BOOKS

Frank's books include the recently published "The Mysterious World of the Human Genome", Virolution, Metamorphosis, Darwin's Blind Spot, Virus X, and The Forgotten Plague. World in Action and Horizon based programs on Frank's books. The Forgotten Plague was a non-fiction book of the year for the New York Times. Virus X also received outstanding reviews in the New York Times and The Washington Post's Bookworld, and Darwin's Blind Spot was the book of choice for Charlie Munger in 2003.

Frank's books have also been the subject of TV and radio documentaries and have been translated into many languages. He is also an occasional reviewer of books for the New York Times.

SOCIAL LIFE

Frank is married with two children. He is an entertaining speaker, which has helped to make him popular with the live media, professional colleagues and lay audiences alike.

Reviews

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embarrassing rash on the wedding tackle? Nasty spots on the kissing apparatus? Load of peaches in the undies? Participant in a pandemic? You can thank a virus for that.

For something that's so small, scientists can't decide if it's a living thing or not, viruses sure can reproduce! Those little bastards make more of themselves faster than a plague of rats, mice, cockies (roaches) and randy rabbits combined...especially if you provide them with a nice little virus hotel like the inside of your nose - or the inside of your arse. EWWWW! Not only that - they LOVE making boogers and lots of poopies. They are more disgusting than those red-neck cane toads that look like a good-sized turd with legs. And don't think you can just wave a magic vaccination wand and get rid of them; some have a life-long relationship with your nervous system... and you can't file for divorce.

Folks - this IS a horror story of the 5 star variety and made all the more scary because it's all true and happening as I type. The chapters I found scariest were on Influenza, Rabies and Ebola. Some forms of Influenza kill as many as 30% of its victims. Untreated, Rabies kills 100% of its victims...and we have a huge colony of fruit bats just near us (they carry it)! Frank Ryan is a professor of Virology, so he does have lapses of technobabble - he can't help himself, but even if you have just a high-school level of understanding of Biology, you'll get by. Otherwise - Google is your friend.

I found this WAY more interesting than I expected, and it has convinced me to get those annual flu shots and wash my hands more often.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: Not quite 4 stars but more than 3.5 stars

Virusphere is an introductory text to viruses - the diseases they cause and how they cause these diseases, their evolution, how they "live", how they influence the evolution of other species by messing around with other genomes, and how viruses form part of the Earth's ecosystem. This book starts off by providing a broad survey of a variety of the more common viral diseases ( e.g. measles, flu, cancer viruses etc), as well as the ones generally covered in other disease books such as insect-borne viruses, small pox and HIV/AIDS. I found the second half of the book more interesting as it covers giant viruses (mimiviruses), viral abundance everywhere including Antarctica, how viruses prey on bacteria, virus-wasp symbiosis, and how viruses alter the genomes of other species and influence that species evolution (e.g. retroviral genes in mammal genomes make it possible for placentas to develop properly - no virus, no mammals!). The chapter on the various hypotheses of viral evolution was also particularly interesting.

This is an interesting, informative and short overview of nearly everything virus, written in an engaging and intelligible manner.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might have given this 4 stars, but was disappointed that a scientist wrote things such as, “Viruses lack the enclosing cell wall seen in bacterial, or indeed in human, cells (p48).” As any freshman biology student knows, humans and other animals do not have cell walls. This is only one instance in which Ryan confuses cell walls with cell membranes. He also persists in using “the ecology” to mean “the environment” or “the ecosystem.” Maybe that irks me because I have a Ph.D. In Ecology, which is the STUDY of the relationships among living beings. But being a virologist is no excuse for sloppy wording.

Those seeking a clear understanding of just how viruses replicate in host cells will be disappointed. Unless you already understand the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation you won’t be taught much.

Having said that, the book is very interesting in terms of the insights Ryan provides about the role of viruses in evolution. He also gives a compelling, if not fully convincing, argument for placing viruses among living organisms and in their own Kingdom.

All in all, a rather interesting and thought-provoking, if somewhat irritating, read.

[Heilika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це той випадок, коли було зіро очікувань перед прочитанням, а книжка дуже класною. Вона точно змінить ваше ставлення до вірусів :>

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. The author clearly is very passionate about the topic, but I found as the book went on, it became more and more dense and dry. By the time I got to the last few chapters, I was really struggling to get through it. Not bad, but not the best.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In light of Covid-19, when I saw this book being offered I decided it was time I found out a little bit more about viruses in general. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity. Viruses are "big" and bad and scary... but they're not really. They fill a very necessary role, as I've learned from this book. "Virusphere" is so easy to read and understand that you don't even need to know the basics before starting. That's not to say that Frank Ryan talks down to his readers - he doesn't - but he has done his very best to make this book accessible to the majority... and succeeded brilliantly. A real eye-opener.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[MrKillick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hervorragender Überblick über das Feld der Virologie. Der Autor beginnt mit einem guten Dutzend Portraits mehr oder weniger bekannter Viren und ihrer Auswirkungen. Im letzten Drittel kommt er zu mehr grundlegenden Überlegungen über die Rolle und Evolution der Viren, für mich der faszinierendste Teil. Wenn man Ryan folgt, waren Viren von Anfang an (vielleicht sogar schon vor den ersten Zellen) ein essentieller Teil des Lebens auf der Erde, ohne den es vermutlich das Leben wie wir es kennen gar nicht geben würde.
Das Buch ist flüssig und anschaulich geschrieben, aber der Autor gibt sich nicht immer Mühe, Fachbegriffe zu erklären. Gewisse naturwissenschaftliche Grundkenntnisse (besonders natürlich Biologie und Medizin) sind daher hilfreich.

[nati · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25
W porządku książka, niektóre rzeczy już wiedziałam szczególnie o chorobach, ale też dowiedziałam się wielu nowych informacji i spodobała mi się też perspektywa autora na pojęcie wirusów bo jest to coś innego, czego nie przeczytasz w podręczniku od biologii

[Dafna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Це той випадок, коли мені дуже цікава тема та певні наукові знахідки, про які розповідає автор, але не вистачило редакторської роботи. Іноді структура книги та глав дещо спантеличувала (мінус ⭐️ за це і мінус ще одна за іноді доволі складну мову як для книги для неспеціалістів). Що ж до змісту, то було дуже цікаво! Особливо мені зайшли глави про симбіоз вірусів та клітинних форм життя і про важливу роль вірусів у еволюції (в тч постанні плацентарних ссавців). Тому друга половина книги була цікавішою за першу. Перша ж бо більше фокусується на окремих вірусах.

Особисто мені хотілося б більше почитати саме про симбіоз вірусів з клітинними формами життя та їхню роль в еволюції замість того, щоб знову читати про популярні віруси, які «на слуху» типу Еболи, зіки, ВІЛ тощо. Читати про останніх теж цікаво та пізнавально, але про них уже стільки написано різними популяризаторами науками. Тоді ж як погляд на роль вірусів в еволюції — набагато менш розкрита тема.

[The Overflowing Inkwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly focused. For fourteen chapters (2-15), we are given a brief introduction to different viruses: rhinoviruses; bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) as related to cholera; MMR; polio; smallpox; hantavirus; herpes, CMV, and Epstein-Barr all in one chapter; flu; rabies; ebola; zika; hepatitis; papillomaviruses. After that we switch gears to discuss different discoveries that expanded or changed how we viewed viruses in general before finishing with a couple of chapters about possible evolutionary origins of viruses and where they should or should not be displayed in systems of classification for all life forms on earth.

Due to this format and short overall length means we don't really get much detail on a much of anything, and I don't think we get the full reasoning for the subtitle: "Why we need the viruses that plague us."

On the contrary, at the end of fourteen chapters of variously destructive viruses, the subtitle actually makes less sense than it did at the start. Only a single chapter of the mentioned fourteen deals with the topic, when he covers rabies--when in bats, as their natural host, rabies doesn't cause illness; therefore, when new species encroach on bat territory (either other bats or completely different species) that could outcompete the bat for resources, that species will likely contract the version of rabies that bat is hosting and die. While not in the book, the human analog would be what happened when Old World met New: bringing different, unknown viruses to the New World cleared a path for the humans who were more accustomed to the viruses, resulting in the ability to gain new resources and land.

Apart from rabies, chapter 21 does actually deal with said subtitle. The chapter ("The Origins of Placental Mammals") quickly discusses placentation (how a viral envelope gene that would normally code for the protein component of said viral envelope has now been co-opted to code for the absolutely necessary protein--syncytin-1--needed to form a healthy, functioning placenta in mammalian species including our own), though he specifically states he will not be going into details. And.....that's it.

If the premise is that we could outcompete other species because of the viruses we play host to, most of the book should have been dedicated to illustrating that conclusion. If the premise is that we absolutely need the oodles of bacteriophages in the oceans and soils of the earth to ensure bacteria doesn't get out of hand and destroy everything, then most of the book should have been dedicated to illustrating that conclusion. I don't see the point of describing a great many absolutely destructive viruses that give no appreciable benefit to either the individual or the species. He gave only the barest sketch of his premise that we need viruses, and did nothing to support this idea that we need the ones that 'plague us'--all we got was "look at this crazy virus! It does terrible, terrible things to the humans who contract it. I don't think we should use the word parasite when describing this horrible virus. We should have more inclusive definitions. Now let's look at this crazy virus! It killed a lot of people! Did you know there are viruses that go after bacteria? Wow, look at this horrific disease caused by a virus we can't do anything about!" I wish he'd had better focus, and jettisoned the intro to viruses in favor of an actual argument that supported the title of the book.

[Sarah Girome · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to begin. Well first, I don’t understand how anyone could rate this above 3 stars. My biggest problem with this was the beginning of the book although, the be fair, the rest of the book wasn’t that great either. He starts by saying that he acknowledges that most of his readers are not well versed in science and then throws that out the window. In his initial effort to simplify some concepts, he succeeds only in either oversimplifying to the point of making false statements or, only slightly less irritating, making statements that while not incorrect, are incomplete. As the book went on, the technical jargon increased and I found myself relying on my background knowledge of microbiology and molecular genetics to understand some parts and terms. It was a bit odd that when discussing the microbe responsible for the bubonic plague, he used the name Pasturella pestis instead of the more commonly know name of Yersina pestis (it was renamed in 1944). I just don’t understand that choice if you’re trying to write a book friendly to those not educated in the field. The author also made leaps without proper background data or any substantial evidence and consistently failed to define terms and acronyms used. For example, his use of symbiosis. While in the beginning part of the book he mostly focused on parasitism and commensalism, however, it took several chapters before acknowledging that most people equate symbiosis with mutualism and only then took the time to discuss the differences and define his use of the term.

I also felt that the structure of the book was challenging. His sentence structure alone left a lot to be desired for me. I went into this book interested to hear his argument around why we need these viruses but we just didn’t get there. There was a global understanding that we need these microbes due to genetic and thus evolutionary changes they have bestowed upon us. That was, however, largely due to the simple fact that he told us this was so as there was very little science to back up this claim. There were several viruses discussed in here with an incredibly fascinating, complicated and rich history but because of his attempt to do too much over too few pages, we lost the impact these viruses have had and an appreciation for the respect they deserve. It felt like he was trying to do what Spillover did except Spillover was informative, humorous, and exciting while this book was frustrating, lazy and messy.

Overall, I get where he was trying to go with this but we didn’t get there. At all. The one positive here is that it reminded me that the Black Death song exists which is one of the best worst things I’ve ever listened to. I encourage you all to listen to it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rZy6Xil... You’re welcome. Or I’m sorry. You can figure that part out.

[Małgorzata Mikos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Wirusosfera. Ukryty świat wirusów: od przeziębienia do COVID-19" dr Franka Ryana to książka wyjątkowa, w fascynujący sposób opowiadająca nie tylko o otaczających nas wirusach, ale również o ich wpływie na istnienie życia na Ziemi. W prosty sposób pomaga poznać i zrozumieć to, co nas otacza, co zdaje się "pochodzić z innego świata", czego nie widzimy gołym okiem, a co dość często nas przeraża. Przeraża i zaskakuje, choć nie powinno, ponieważ każda forma życia na planecie żyje w symbiozie z wirusami od milionów lat, ponieważ dla przetrwania gatunkowego każdego organizmu niezbędne są właśnie wirusy.


Dlaczego warto przeczytać

W swojej książce dr Frank Ryan przedstawia czytelnikowi szeroki wachlarz wirusów, sposoby ich działania oraz znacznie. Czytelnik w prosty sposób poznaje wkład wirusów w ewolucję, rolę w regulacji biosfery i życia oraz ich wpływ na organizmy żywe.
W przystępny dla każdego sposób, autor omawia w książce bardziej znane wirusy np. AIDS, Eboli, SARS, polio, Zika, ospę prawdziwą. Robi to w sposób dość przystępny i interesujący dla każdego.
Oprócz faktów i zagadnień, na które dr Ryan przedstawia niezbite dowody i wyczerpujące odpowiedzi, znajdziemy w książce liczne ciekawostki oraz porównanie wirusów i bakterii.
Lektura tej książki pozwala spojrzeć na świat makro z całkiem innej perspektywy. To, co do tej pory było nieznane, co przerażało lub zaskakiwało swoim istnieniem lub działaniem, zaczyna fascynować. Sam fakt, że natura jest tak złożonym systemem, a my jesteśmy jego częścią, zachwyca swoją niezwykłością.


Ostatnie słowo o książce

"Wirusosfera. Ukryty świat wirusów: od przeziębienia do COVID-19" to pozycja bardzo interesująca. I potrzebna. Potrzebna nie tylko w trudnych czasach.
Książkę polecam nie tylko osobom interesującym się medycyną i nauką, ale przede wszystkim każdemu, kto chciałby poszerzyć swoją wiedzę i dowiedzieć się o tym, co tworzy nas świat. Jest to doskonała lektura dla chcących poznać i zrozumieć istnienie wirusów na Ziemi.
Polecam, wciąż zafascynowana jej treścią.

[Lloyd Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a surprising book. Initially, I thought it a bit superficial given that the world of viruses and phage are so incredibly diverse and omni-present. And, yes, in some ways it is a bit superficial but Ryan is also trying to make a point. And that point is that viruses and life in general have evolved together. He comes up with his own definition of a virus as an obligate symbiont...and this makes sense. He also makes a case for viruses conferring benefits on the host so they are not just parasites.......Though I did find some tension between the benefits being bestowed and the fact that 99 percent of the viral infection cycles at every level in the oceans were "lytic in nature". This means that they were explosively effect in multiplying and killing the hosts......whichh enriches the environment with organic matter but has a rather devastating impact on the infected species.
he does describe some interesting symbiotic relationships such as the rhizobia of panic grass in the geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park. Neither plant nor fungus could survive alone with soil temperatures above 38 degrees but sa symbiotic virus conferred the heat tolerance,

The author is clearly most at home with human related viral illness, and, in this respect, I felt it was a bit weak.Yes he does have a bit to say about plants, soils and oceans, but it's more like an afterthought. Overall, good though maybe not great. i give it 3.5 stars.

[Rubina Mushtaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan’s Virusphere is a work of incredible magnitude. An amazing book on the evolutionary concepts of Virus. A perfect read for a layperson to understand the existence and importance of viruses on earth.
Ryan describes Viruses, as obligate genetic parasites who inhabit the landscape of the host genome. Are they really the fourth domain of our lives? Ryan had described all the self raised questions in very splendid details and profound knowledge.
We sorely need this book in this era of pandemic. All the chapters on the subject are well researched and well written. Ryan describes the evolutionary process under the Darwin theory as natural selection must be operated from a very early stage. Virus provokes mistakes in the copying of DNA of the host cell from one generation to the next. This book fills many of those blanks in a very intriguing way.
Frank Ryan is brilliant to stand out in explaining all about viruses and get as far as he did. He portrays that all viruses are not evil, they play an important role in establishing our genetic framework . From Introduction to the last chapter he shows all his skills of writing.
As a medical doctor I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about viruses.This book deserves all five stars.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting in that it covers several viruses and the authors does attempt to break down the explanations so that they could be understood by just about anyone. I did not finish the book because I wasn't captivated enough, but there were some interesting points made and gave me some things to think about.

At times, the author seemed to be snarky about vaccinations and people who choose not to vaccinate. This type of attitude does not bode well with me, because it seems dismissive (plus, I want to learn about why viruses are important - not be lectured on vaccination). Please just state the facts. To this point, there was at least one claim (that I know of) that the author made that isn't exactly correct - “Such has been the dramatic success of vaccination programmes, using live attenuated viral vaccines taken by mouth, that polio has been largely eliminated from developed countries.” This is not completely true. AP has actually published a number of articles in the last couple years explaining that these oral vaccinations have actually lead to more cases of polio (while nearly wiping out the wild strain, new strains have been created due to the oral vaccination alone).

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need to see viruses, not as parasites but as symbionts forming partnerships with their hosts. That's the thesis of this book.

Dr Frank Ryan begins by outlining the huge range of viruses and giving a snapshot of the diverse ways in which they operate. He goes on to describe their contribution to evolution in general and their impact upon the human genome in particular. (Apparently, without viruses there would be no placental mammals.)

Widening he focus from the purely human, he discusses the crucial part they play in the regulation of the biosphere and the evidence for the argument that life on Earth began with viruses and, even suggests that viruses were critical in the development of a sense of self.

The publication of this book during a global pandemic is a timely coincidence but it's also a demonstration of what a hugely important topic this is, and how necessary it has become for all of us to begin to grasp at least some of the fundamentals involved. Fascinating and hugely informative, Virusphere is essential reading for a world struggling to come to terms with Covid 19.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got about 3/5 of the way through before I gave up. Maybe I'm meant to read literature reviews in Nature instead of these types of books, but... where's the research? It's mostly history and name-dropping with some epidemiological statistics and sentences starting with "Indeed," or "Alas," thrown in. I'd rather read a paragraph about evidence for viral symbiosis in recent (at time of publication) studies than whatever illness-stricken person or mice field scientist Ryan decides to chat with next.

This book is strangely laid out and disjointed. There's no reason to the structure. Ryan waits to ask "What are viruses?" until page 167. Lots of anthropomorphizing viruses and using "we" and "you" pronouns for no reason. I would bet he's put in a "dear reader" or two somewhere in the text.

I'm confused who his intended audience is. Ryan picks terms at random to define for the reader and those to leave a mystery. Seems too dry and inaccessible for someone with a high-school biology class or less knowledge of viruses; seems too poorly laid-out and oddly casual (and not in a charming way) for someone who knows more about viruses than that. Not the book I was hoping to read.

[Lee Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps 'extremophile' RNA viruses exist for the proper functioning of the global biota through the oceans. They have a deeply ancient origin and are still a mystery. RNA-based life could be what exist on other planets. Viruses are the 'aliens' (the 'fourth domain').

Interesting: Given the influence of the oceans on climate, what role does climate change have in pandemics?

“We humans are apt to regard the Earth as our world, assuming that we have hegemony over it, but the truth is that we are hardly vital to biodiversity. Our burgeoning population, with its increasing intrusion into wilderness areas, the destruction of rainforests, and overfishing of the oceans, is putting a strain on natural balances of a number of major ecologies, meanwhile contributing to the extinction of many other forms of life. We inhabit a planet only recently recovered from the ozone prices, meanwhile, we face possible climate change and the plastic pollution of the oceans.” (239)

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ця к��ижка, так само, як і Великий замисел, аж ніяк не популярна, а цілком наукова. І так само, як у "Великому замислі", ні про яку "доступну мову" тут не йдеться. Як на мене, це читання для студентів-медиків перших курсів, які хочуть стати інфекціоністами чи спеціалізуватися у вірусології (не певна, до речі, що після прочитання книжки, це бажання в них залишиться).
Слово про переклад: я б не взялася за цю книжку, якби прізвища перекладачок не навіювали мені довіри, яку цілком виправдали. Але перекладачі не можуть бути фахівцями з усіх наук - як наслідок, мало не третину книжки перечіпаєшся через якийсь "казуативний вірус" - привіт літературному редакторові Євгенові Будьку та науковій консультантці Ларисі Павловській - який, зрештою, як і слід було від початку, перетворюється на "збудника".

[GrandpaBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book by an English doctor and evolutionary biologist published in 2019 before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The author covers the better known viruses, the common cold, AIDS, Ebola, the first SARS, Zika and more as well as the argument as to whether viruses are alive or not, to their importance to the ecology of the oceans and the symbiotic nature of viruses and their host for survival. The author also explains how the discovery that without the ancient virus known as retroviruses playing a part in the origins and evolution of placental mammals or in the author's words "no retroviruses, no placental mammals." Although at times I got a bit lost in the jargon and it was at times difficult to follow, it was still very fascinating as I said at the beginning. Definitely worth checking out.

[Robert Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amidst the new emerging Coronavirus surrounding us, this overviews reminds readers about the multitude of viral dangers ranging symbiotic beneficial bacteriophage to the horrifying smallpox, hauntavirus and many others. Explains how viruses potential emerge, and ultimately argues for understanding them as a critical part of evolutionary history and nature aiming to prove that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Pros
-Readable
- Blend of biology, history, virology

Cons
- could serve from diagrams to show how viruses bind, function etc vs lengthy explanations

Ultimately chilling is this books section on emergent virology predictions. Written in mid 2019 eeirly accurate in predicting a virus to emerge from China as the next pandemic ...

[Pak455 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autor ma parę ciekawych rzeczy do powiedzenia o wirusach i ewolucji. Pod pewnymi względami to rzecz bardzo otwierająca oczy, bo choć fakt że ewoluują bardziej ekosystemy niż pojedyncze gatunki już mi się ułożył w głowie wcześniej, to jednak zakres tych związków jest wciąż uderzający.

Gorzej jest z umiejętnością sprzedania tej wiedzy. Nie jest z tym najgorzej, ale na pewno nie jest to porywająca opowieść. Zresztą, powiedzmy sobie szczerze, opis tego jak się umiera na ebolę nie jest przyjemny.

Ale najgorsze może jest to, że wszystkich interesuje ten nieszczęsny COVID, który okazuje się wirusem nudnym, przewidywalnym i tak prostym, że praktycznie autor nie bardzo ma o czym pisać w rozdziale, który mu poświęca.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written, extremely informative and has made me look at viruses in a whole new way. It holds up remarkably well after the pandemic, despite a couple of lines saying something like 'thank goodness there hasn't been another SARS outbreak since then'. I'd say this book comes in two parts - one discussing the more practical, tangible effects of viruses and their place in the ecosystem, and the other talking about how viruses co-evolved with cellular life. I for one am convinced as to the importance of viruses! A fun, fairly easy read with some truly fascinating anecdotes. Highly recommended.

[Oksana Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Досить сумбурно та специфічно написано. Стиль письма у автора науковий і через це є багато питань до британських видавців і редакторів книжки. Наприклад, чи можна було б це якось спростити на етапі підготовки книжки до друку? Або вони, мабуть, заплуталися у визначенні цільової аудиторії цього тексту. Бо тема цікава й актуальна, але подача інформації дуже демотивує продовжувати читати далі. Всім же цікаво як СНІД та Covid подолали міжвидовий бар'єр та "перебратися жити" від травин до людини? Але написано це специфічно. Як на мене, така важлива інформація мала б подаватися в набагато простішій формі.

[Dwayne Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say that this book (or at least the first few chapters) is an apt read for 2020. I didn't give it a 5 as the second half of the book got a bit too technical for the average reader.

We know so little about viruses, and as we should have all realized by now, our mere ignorance of them can have tragic consequences. They are tiny, but should not be underestimated.

One shouldn't need to have a medical degree to control the spread of a virus. You just have to be considerate - stay at home whenever possible, wear PPE, consult medical professionals, constantly seek new information on how you can do your part to help the community - but of course, these guidelines only work if we ALL follow them. The problem is that most of us aren't aware of what we should be doing, so I endorse books like these that could certainly help inform and educate the masses, so that next time we can all handle it better.

Viruses are enigmatic and unpredictable. Frank Ryan reminds us that they are not in our world - we are in theirs. If we all have a better understanding of what we're dealing with, we can make a concerted effort to ensure that 2020 does not repeat itself.

[Mitri Laatvala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Занадто професійна термінологія книги мене відштовхнула. Якщо спочатку це якось не відчувалось і автор розповідав про відомі нам віруси і епідемії то з часом це стало важко читати бо я б відніс книгу для професіоналів які глибоко занурені в структуру, тип і різновиди вірусів. Так в загальному можна почерпнути про короновірус, Еболу, герпес і різні дитячі хвороби.
Але якшо узагальнити то скажу що вірулентність, чи продромальний період зустрічається в кожному другому реченні. Так як я і досі не знаю що це, то й оцінка моя така.

[Dwight Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came out in 2019, just before the pan-you-know-what.
It may be the last book about viruses ever, for a popular audience, that doesn't mention COVID-19.
Very interesting overview of viruses, what flavors they come in, how they go about their business, whether they are life-forms or not.
The author's own interest lies in the nature of viruses as symbionts, and the role they play in life on Earth.

[Ruda_sterlet Руда стерлядь · Rating 4 out of 5]

Якщо цікава тема вірусів, то це непогана книжка, але без вау-ефекту.

По-перше, переклад, мʼяко кажучи поганий, тут постійно є неточності перекладу мабуть 🤔 типу «спинний кістковий мозок»
спинний мозок знаю,
кістковий мозок знаю,
спинний кістковий не знаю 🤷‍♀️

А якщо реально, то це взагалі різне спинний мозок - частина нервової системи, кістковий мозок - мʼяка тканина, у внутрішніх порожнинах кісток.

По-друге, сама структура текста.
Я б сказала, що це більше роздуми про те, що є вірусами і їх шляхи еволюції ну і концепція вірусного симбіозу, якій приділяється багато уваги.

🦠А ще, дуже видно, що одні родини вірусів автора цікавили, і він детально та цікаво про них пише, а інші так, згадав аби згадати

Тож, книжку раджу тільки зацікавленим до вірусології і бажано вже з якимось багажем знань з цієї теми.

[Giangy Giang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative read about the different types of viruses and their role in the ecosystem and in the relationship with humans.
I like Frank Ryan's writing style. He presents his points well and each part is compact. Highly recommended for someone who wants to know more about viruses as fascinating organisms.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book given what is going on with the Coronavirus. He explains viruses in terms that are understandable to the lay person. It was a really interesting book while bein educational as well!