Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevit - Softcover

9780007256549: Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevit
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
Title: Survival of the Sickest Author: Moalem,Sharon Publisher: HarperPerennial Binding: Paperback

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
Dan Ariely on Survival of the Sickest
MIT professor Dan Ariely has become one of the leaders in the growing field of behavioral economics, and his bestselling book debut, Predictably Irrational, has brought his ideas--and his ingenious experiments and charming sense of humor--to a much wider audience. With the simplest of tests (often an auction or a quiz given under a few conditions) he shows again and again not only that we are wired to make irrational decisions in many situations, but that we do so in remarkably predictable ways.

I have always been puzzled by the way in which genetic diseases have managed to survive throughout the ages. How could it be that these diseases were able to withstand the evolutionary process, where only the most fit survive, and continue to be transferred from one generation to the next? Survival of the Sickest provides a thought provoking yet entertaining explanation to this puzzle.

In this insightful book Dr. Sharon Moalem demonstrates how conditions that are considered unhealthy (such as hemochromatosis, diabetes, and high cholesterol), or even deadly in extreme cases, might actually put their carriers at an advantage in combating other life-threatening illnesses. For example, he explains that hemochromatosis, a disease that, if left untreated, will kill you, may have actually been a defense against the deadliest pandemic in history--the bubonic plague during the 14th century. It turns out that this genetic mutation, which continues to be passed down through generations, actually helped spare many lives at one point.

Throughout the book, Dr. Moalem draws many connections between seemingly disparate subjects, such as the accidental invention of ice wine and cold diuresis, in order to illustrate the basic mechanisms of genetics and medicine in charming and intuitive ways. He skillfully interweaves his knowledge of history, genetics, and medicine not only as they relate to specific medical conditions but also in a way that addresses important challenges of modern society and our future evolution.

In the most general terms, Dr. Moalem's description of the human body and its complexity left me in awe of how far we have come in our understanding of biology and medicine, while also being reminded that the road to understanding ourselves is still wide open with much more to learn in the decades, and even centuries, to come. It is a fantastic journey on which he leads us and Dr. Moalem is a kind, knowledgeable, humorous, and helpful guide.

About the Author:

Dr. Sharon Moalem is an award-winning neurologist and evolutionary biologist, with a PhD in human physiology. His research brings evolution, genetics, biology, and medicine together to explain how the body works in new and fascinating ways. He and his work have been featured on CNN, in the New York Times, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, on Today, and in magazines such as New Scientist, Elle, and Martha Stewart's Body + Soul. Dr. Moalem's first book was the New York Times bestseller Survival of the Sickest. He lives in New York City.



Jonathan Prince was a senior adviser and speechwriter in the Clinton White House and oversaw communications strategy at NATO during the war in Kosovo. He was named one of America's Best and Brightest by Esquire in 2005 for his work to improve political advertising. With former U.S. senator John Edwards and Edwards's daughter Cate, Prince edited Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherHarperPerennial
  • Publication date2008
  • ISBN 10 000725654X
  • ISBN 13 9780007256549
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages288
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780060889661: Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity (P.S.)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780060889661
Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2008
Softcover

  • 9780060889654: Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

    Willia..., 2007
    Hardcover

  • 9780007224401: Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

    Willia..., 2007
    Hardcover

  • 9780739487389: Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

    Morrow, 2007
    Softcover

  • 9780007236107: Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

    Harper..., 2007
    Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Seller Image

Dr Sharon Moalem
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Grand Eagle Retail
(Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical perspective on survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Survival of the Sickest will change the way you think about your body. Dr. Moalem investigates peculiar and puzzling features of human biology to reveal the answers to such provocative questions as: Why do we need to pee when were cold? Can a person rust to death? Why are Greeks hairier than Africans? Can the tanning salon lower cholesterol? Why are leeches back in vogue? Can sunglasses cause sunburns? Who gets drunk faster Europeans or Asians?In considering the question of why diseases exist, Dr Moalem proposes that most common diseases came into existence for very good reasons. Diabetes, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia may all exist because, at some time in our past, they helped our ancestors survive some grand challenge to human existence. In turn, he also discovers that genetic and cultural differences have led to each race having different and unique ways of reacting to their environment and subsequently how they become susceptible to certain diseases.Survival of the Sickest is a book about life yours, ours and every little living thing under the sun. About how we all got here, where we're all going and what we can do about it. Revelatory and written in an utterly engaging fashion, Sharon Moalem's book will change the way you think about your body. In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical perspective on survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Survival of the Sickest will change the way you think about your body. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780007256549

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 18.67
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Moalem, Sharon
Published by Harper Perennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 4
Seller:
Monster Bookshop
(Fleckney, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9780007256549-GDR

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.58
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 11.34
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Sharon Moalem
Published by Harper (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 2
Seller:
Revaluation Books
(Exeter, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 288 pages. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __000725654X

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.93
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 12.62
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

SharonMoalem
Published by HarperPerennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Softcover Quantity: 4
Seller:
Ria Christie Collections
(Uxbridge, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9780007256549_new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 13.15
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 12.59
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

SharonMoalem
Published by HarperPerennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_000725654X

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 22.68
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

SharonMoalem
Published by HarperPerennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think000725654X

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 28.27
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Moalem, Sharon
Published by HarperPerennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Softcover Quantity: 3
Seller:
GreatBookPricesUK
(Castle Donington, DERBY, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 5349678-n

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 14.98
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 18.93
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dr Sharon Moalem
Published by HarperCollins Publishers (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New PAP Quantity: 15
Seller:
PBShop.store UK
(Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom)

Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # VC-9780007256549

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 13.85
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 31.54
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Moalem, Sharon
Published by Harper Perennial (2008)
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Pieuler Store
(Suffolk, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: new. Book is in NEW condition. Satisfaction Guaranteed! Fast Customer Service!!. Seller Inventory # PSN000725654X

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 14.79
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 31.53
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Dr Sharon Moalem
ISBN 10: 000725654X ISBN 13: 9780007256549
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
AussieBookSeller
(Truganina, VIC, Australia)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical perspective on survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Survival of the Sickest will change the way you think about your body. Dr. Moalem investigates peculiar and puzzling features of human biology to reveal the answers to such provocative questions as: Why do we need to pee when were cold? Can a person rust to death? Why are Greeks hairier than Africans? Can the tanning salon lower cholesterol? Why are leeches back in vogue? Can sunglasses cause sunburns? Who gets drunk faster Europeans or Asians?In considering the question of why diseases exist, Dr Moalem proposes that most common diseases came into existence for very good reasons. Diabetes, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia may all exist because, at some time in our past, they helped our ancestors survive some grand challenge to human existence. In turn, he also discovers that genetic and cultural differences have led to each race having different and unique ways of reacting to their environment and subsequently how they become susceptible to certain diseases.Survival of the Sickest is a book about life yours, ours and every little living thing under the sun. About how we all got here, where we're all going and what we can do about it. Revelatory and written in an utterly engaging fashion, Sharon Moalem's book will change the way you think about your body. In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical perspective on survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Survival of the Sickest will change the way you think about your body. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780007256549

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 25.09
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 37.00
From Australia to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book