Bad Bugs Bookclub Meeting Report:

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Jong

The aim of the Bad Bugs Book Club is to get people interested in science, specifically microbiology, by reading books (novels) in which infectious disease forms some part of the story. We also try to associate books, where possible, with some other activity or event, to widen interest, and to broaden impact.

We have established a fairly fluid membership of our bookclub through our website In The Loop ( ), but we hope to encourage others to join, to set up their own bookclub, suggest books and accompanying activities to us, and give feedback about the books that they have read, using our website as the focus for communication.

Our bookclub comprises both microbiologists and members of the general public. We felt that this would encourage some discussion on the science – accuracy, impact etc – as well as about the book.

I Contain Multitudes (2015) is one of several popular science books recently published that focus on the microbiome, such as Gut (Enders, 2014),andI, Superorganism (Turney 2015). Recent discoveries have revealed the complexity and importance of the human microbiome: Jong’s work encompasses the microbiomes of animals, insects and the environment, whereas others focus more on the human.Theodor Rosebury’s Life on Man (1969) was an accessible book describing microbial life on and in the human body, and other text books such as Mike Wilsons’ (2008) Bacteriology of Human’s: an ecological perspective have provided similarly fascinating overviews. What are the differences between books written for a specialist audience, including text books, and popular science publications? How do the authors build in the likelihood of the information becoming dated?

This is the first overtly factual narrative that the Bookclub has read, and was selected to bring some ‘real’ science to discussions, following from recent readings that only touched indirectly upon infectious disease, and/or were apocalyptic/science fiction genres. Other ‘true stories’ we have read, such as Microbe Hunters, which comprised short Reader’s Digest-style stories about pioneer microbiologists, and The xxx Henrietta Lacks, written in a chronological style that encompassed science, historical and journalistic narratives. We reminded ourselves that the book was of popular science ‘not an art form’.

Discussion

Most of the membership enjoyed reading the book (‘an interesting text book’; like a ‘written David Attenborough programme’), and noted the chatty writing style; some had listened to the audiobook (9.5h), and felt that the chapters/themes were less evident (and the narrator was a little bland). It was apparent to readers that this was an exciting, developing field, but two microbiologist members felt that the book was too much like ‘work’ to enjoy as a ‘read’ (‘endless fascinating facts’). One had already read I Superorganism, and was expecting to be able to compare writing style/content....but was unable to identify sufficient differences to warrant a full read. Indeed, attention was drawn to the similar discoveries made by different scientists at the same time, and generally the overall message about ‘the wonder of....’ became a little repetitive, with no opportunity for flow (plot development!). It was not a particularly easy read for non-scientists. The inclusion of stories behind the science, and the interviews with key scientist was appreciated.

Non-microbiologists noted some facts that were new to them (‘I didn’t know there was someone called Escherich’); we were a little dismayed that some long-standing discoveries, such as the role of microorganisms in evolution, and that mitochondria/chloroplasts had developed from prokaryotes ,were still not generally recognised – what did this say about the importance of microorganisms to ‘man’?; important ecological issues such as the deterioration of coral reefs were noted.Wolbachia bacteria seemed to be a favourite, and the importance and specificity of the actions of microorganisms in human breast milk was marvelled at. Pre/probiotics were noted as topical points of interest, likewise faecal transplants (‘crapsules’!). Where might AMR (antimicrobial resistance) fit?

We recognised that this book could only be a snapshot in time, due to the fast moving discoveries in the field – perhaps this also explains the annual release of books on the subject. We did not feel that the intended audience could be ‘the general public’ – there would have to be a scientific interest and motivation for readers. Yet there are many important aspects that merit wider dissemination: are bad bacteria the most important compared with those that keep you well, and the global ecosystems?

We thought the topic would make a good TV programme, addressing the ’invisible unknown’ in depth. Amazing microorganisms and the theme of symbiosis might make a good children’s book (several books about microorganisms for children seem to lack the underpinning excitement and importance). In terms of using the book as an education tool for students, we felt that it was too repetitive to expect undergraduates to read it all – perhaps selected chapters with accompanying questions might be useful.

The book facilitated more general discussion around understanding of microbiology. Would we encourage people to be less clean? Why does the news use ‘dirtier than a toilet seat’ as the key indicator of hygiene? Why do we need to know the microbiome of a coffee maker? How do microbiomes of inert versus biological materials differ?

Thus, with questions that enable discussion around the topic rather than focusing specifically on the science described within, we were, overall, able to consider the impact of the microbiome on ourselves – and our planet.

Joanna Verran