Microcosm: E. Coli and the New Science of Life by Carl Zimmer
(out of 5 stars)
The bacteria E. coli is among the most important living things in modern science, and as Carl Zimmer shows in this outstanding treatment, many huge discoveries owe a great deal to this very tiny "bug".
Zimmer packs a ton of information into these pages, highlighting a natural history of E. coli as well as discussing its physiology and evolutionary aspects. While I knew beforehand that this bacteria was very useful, I was still surprised and delighted to find out so much about something so little.
The best parts of the book for me were those which discussed key research utilizing the bacteria, including that of Richard Lenski's long-term evolutionary study, which was included in Richard Dawkins's book The Greatest Show on Earth. Zimmer brings the science to life and while this reads like a popular science book, it is densely packed with wonderful and enlightening science. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in biology, microbiology, evolution, or just a great love of current science. Four and one-half stars.
