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The story of microbes comes to life through vignettes about the eccentric and inquisitive scientists who study them. Anton takes the reader on a romping tour of microbial research, from astrobiology to zoology, and leaves us with a new respect for these tiny creatures. --Brooke Borel, author of Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedrooms and Took Over the World Planet of Microbes is a fascinating journey through one of our least visible and most influential landscapes. Anton makes it an adventure as well, full of all the quirks and wonderful unexpectedness of good science--and good science writing. --Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook

The story of microbes comes to life through vignettes about the eccentric and inquisitive scientists who study them. Anton takes the reader on a romping tour of microbial research, from astrobiology to zoology, and leaves us with a new respect for these tiny creatures. --Brooke Borel, author of Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedrooms and Took Over the World Anton cleverly choreographs coverage of the personalities of scientists, their research and staggering findings in sync with the astounding opportunism and abilities of the microscopic life forms that fascinate them. --Booklist (08/28/2017) Earth's microbial hordes are its dominant life form. A realm that spans the mammalian gut, the ocean floor and the International Space Station is a rich one, and discoveries in it continue to rattle and revivify biology. Anton's captivating narrative follows the field's evolution through key findings in symbiosis, archaea and the microbiome by inspired scientists such as Lynn Margulis, Carl Woese, Margaret McFall-Ngai, and Elaine Hsiao. Anton dips, too, into how the findings are influencing diet, agriculture, medicine and environmental sustainability. -- (10/12/2017) Anton shines in his detailing of research that has unveiled the reach and weight of microbes and the chemistry and geology of the ancient Earth. --Kirkus Reviews (08/28/2017) Planet of Microbes is a fascinating journey through one of our least visible and most influential landscapes. Anton makes it an adventure as well, full of all the quirks and wonderful unexpectedness of good science--and good science writing. --Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook

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Ted Anton is professor of English at DePaul University. He is the author, most recently, of The Longevity Seekers and has written for Chicago magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and Publishers Weekly.

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