The book that tells you all you need to know about viruses, and more.
Leading expert Dr Frank Ryan focuses on viral evolution - what forces drive it and what makes some viral strains benign while others are deadly. He will astonish you to reveal that living with viruses played a key role in our evolution as placental mammals. In essence, we have co-evolved with our very own viruses.
Virusphere reveals the hidden world of the virus, which is a key player in the ecology of the oceans and throughout all terrestrial ecologies. Our own bodies teem with viruses, over the surface and in every cavity. The domain of the Virosphere, so-called, is the interface between all of life and viruses in every locality and ecology of our planet.Ryan takes his readers on a whirlwind tour of known viruses, vrom AIDS and Ebola to the common cold, then delves deeper into the remarkable recently discoveries that will change your vision of what viruses truly are and what key roles they have played throughout the evolution of life on Earth.
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.
Reviewed by Laura H. (Reader)
Reviewed on February 24, 2020
From what a virus is to why we benefit from them and everything in between--this informative book is a must read for anyone interested in this topic and a great resource for future use.
While not a person from the scientific community, this reader still found this book interesting and informative.
The writing exhibits a level of knowledge of viruses that shows the author's passion for this subject. I, for one, am glad that the author took the time and patience to publish such a worthwhile and relevant book.
The chapters break down this topic into a very manageable, concise, and easy-to-read publication.
This is the same author of a pre-teen fantasy book (The Twins of Moon, a great read). Encountering a person with such a wide interest of subjects who has the ability to produce literary works of each, is fascinating.
I'm glad that you and others with knowledge from the scientific community are writing books for the general public to learn more about the things that "ill" us and why they are essential. Virusphere is a good example of what we fear the most, yet has its redeeming value--viruses.
In the past year I have read articles in two issues of National Geographic illustrating the value of bacteria in and on our bodies. It is revolutionary. Probably why so many are sick or have compromised immune systems. Whenever I get sick, I fight it the way I always did, with fluids, warmth, rest and nothing more. But everyone around me tells me that when they are sick they ask their doctors for their favorite antibiotic and get over with it very quick. Even if it is a virus? I doubt their anecdotal stories passed down from the magic and myth of penicillin.
I have been partially paralyzed in surgery for 57 years, gradually becoming quadriplegic during that time. But I'm still healthy by my blood stats. Most of my friends with similar conditions are dead. I just had a bout with a cold that lasted six weeks. Suspecting another UTI, my antibiotic used for that did nothing for this cold virus, but caused constipation from the gut bacteria that it killed.
Keep shedding the light of science on what really matters… Our health.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
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.
While not a person from the scientific community, this reader still found this book interesting and informative.
The writing exhibits a level of knowledge of viruses that shows the author's passion for this subject. I, for one, am glad that the author took the time and patience to publish such a worthwhile and relevant book.
The chapters break down this topic into a very manageable, concise, and easy-to-read publication.
This is the same author of a pre-teen fantasy book (The Twins of Moon, a great read). Encountering a person with such a wide interest of subjects who has the ability to produce literary works of each, is fascinating.
In the past year I have read articles in two issues of National Geographic illustrating the value of bacteria in and on our bodies. It is revolutionary. Probably why so many are sick or have compromised immune systems. Whenever I get sick, I fight it the way I always did, with fluids, warmth, rest and nothing more. But everyone around me tells me that when they are sick they ask their doctors for their favorite antibiotic and get over with it very quick. Even if it is a virus? I doubt their anecdotal stories passed down from the magic and myth of penicillin.
I have been partially paralyzed in surgery for 57 years, gradually becoming quadriplegic during that time. But I'm still healthy by my blood stats. Most of my friends with similar conditions are dead. I just had a bout with a cold that lasted six weeks. Suspecting another UTI, my antibiotic used for that did nothing for this cold virus, but caused constipation from the gut bacteria that it killed.
Keep shedding the light of science on what really matters… Our health.
Ron