The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator
Product ID: 168500356
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**The instant New York Times bestseller** *An international bestseller* "Hugely impressive, a major work."-- NPR A pioneering and groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that offers a dramatic new perspective on the history of humankind, showing how through millennia, the mosquito has been the single most powerful force in determining humanity's fate. Why was gin and tonic the cocktail of choice for British colonists in India and Africa? What does Starbucks have to thank for its global domination? What has protected the lives of popes for millennia? Why did Scotland surrender its sovereignty to England? What was George Washington's secret weapon during the American Revolution? The answer to all these questions, and many more, is the mosquito. Across our planet since the dawn of humankind, this nefarious pest, roughly the size and weight of a grape seed, has been at the frontlines of history as the grim reaper, the harvester of human populations, and the ultimate agent of historical change. As the mosquito transformed the landscapes of civilization, humans were unwittingly required to respond to its piercing impact and universal projection of power. The mosquito has determined the fates of empires and nations, razed and crippled economies, and decided the outcome of pivotal wars, killing nearly half of humanity along the way. She (only females bite) has dispatched an estimated 52 billion people from a total of 108 billion throughout our relatively brief existence. As the greatest purveyor of extermination we have ever known, she has played a greater role in shaping our human story than any other living thing with which we share our global village. Imagine for a moment a world without deadly mosquitoes, or any mosquitoes, for that matter? Our history and the world we know, or think we know, would be completely unrecognizable. Driven by surprising insights and fast-paced storytelling, The Mosquito is the extraordinary untold story of the mosquito's reign through human history and her indelible impact on our modern world order. Review: A fascinating topic that will make you view history with a new perspective. - Style is a bit journalistic and use of language a bit too clever for my taste, but the book is thoroughly researched and well constructed. It is estimated that 52 billion of the 108 billion humans who have ever lived died from mosquito-borne diseases The bulk of the book is a sweeping survey of the impact that this had on human history (and evolution). It will make you see familiar events in a fresh light! Review: Fascinating insight in to how mosquitos have shaped the world - Interesting read, particularly at first, but it became more about listing wars and less about the machinations and influences of mosquitos about halfway through - repetitive, could’ve condensed it. First few chapters were absolutely fascinating though and well worth a read.
| Best Sellers Rank | 225,262 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 74 in Insects (Books) 452 in History of Civilisation & Culture 569 in Biological Sciences Teaching Aids |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,013 Reviews |
W**N
A fascinating topic that will make you view history with a new perspective.
Style is a bit journalistic and use of language a bit too clever for my taste, but the book is thoroughly researched and well constructed. It is estimated that 52 billion of the 108 billion humans who have ever lived died from mosquito-borne diseases The bulk of the book is a sweeping survey of the impact that this had on human history (and evolution). It will make you see familiar events in a fresh light!
C**M
Fascinating insight in to how mosquitos have shaped the world
Interesting read, particularly at first, but it became more about listing wars and less about the machinations and influences of mosquitos about halfway through - repetitive, could’ve condensed it. First few chapters were absolutely fascinating though and well worth a read.
M**N
On time and well packaged
This was as advertised and came on time and well packaged. Will certainly use again
S**2
Not dolphins or white mice - it's mosquitos!
Really interesting and somewhat of an eye-opener in places.
N**A
Worth every penny!
Great book!
M**L
🤯
I have only just started this book and I'm hooked. Brilliant!.
M**S
Poor print quality
Very poor print quality
D**D
Libro de historia recomendado
Un excelente libro sobre el papel que jugó y juega el mosquito en la historia de la humanidad. No es un libro de ciencia que trate sobre los descubrimientos epidemiológicos más recientes. Es un libro de historia. Recomendado para los amantes de la historia y de nuevas perspectivas.
D**O
Poche notizie sulla realta ' e difesa dalle zanzare
L'argomento e' interessante ed in alcuni casi trattato con cognizione. Per la maggior parte pero' e' stiracchiato per aumentare le pagine con notizie fuori campo.
M**S
Gruselig, aber wahr!
Übertrifft jeden Horrorfilm, und dabei ist es so real wie die Mücke auf der Haut!
F**0
Put his book on your Bucket List!
An excellent book detailing the history of the mosquito form the age of the dinosaur to the present day. The author takes you on a historical journey and you learn that the dinosaurs may have been weakened to the point of near extinction by the mosquito, and the asteroid impact may have been the coup de grace that sealed their fate. You will discover that the mosquito was essentially engaged in every major combat on the planet, from the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia to the 300 Spartans, the Indian Wars, the revolutionary war, the Civil War, the first world war and the second world war, the building of the Panama Canal. Youll read about the Malarial parasite and how deadly it is and how it transforms itself to survive. How mosquitoes spread viruses around the world. This is truly a fascinating book. I do believe that it is time to eradicate the mosquito species involved in the transmission of Malaria and other dangerous viruses. This has already been accomplished by a company that has created genetically modified mosquitos that mate with a female and her offspring either dies or produces only males. So it can be done, but the environmental impact needs to be studied some more. It's also interesting that mosquitos have served as a barrier for humans and other mammals to enter certain areas. An example would be the Amazon rain forest. As humans clear cut this area, Mosquitos will attack and what new diseases will force us to move away from these areas? A very good book and well worth the long read.
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