Describes different kinds of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and algae, and both their harmful and beneficial effects, as well as efforts to prevent the harm that some germs cause.

This book lets us peer into the world of microbes -- not as germs to be eradicated, but as invaluable parts of our lives -- allowing us to see how ubiquitous and vital microbes are: they sculpt our organs, defend us from disease, break down our food, educate our immune systems, guide our behavior, bombard our genomes with their genes, and grant us incredible abilities. While much of the prevailing discussion around the microbiome has focused on its...

Describes the microscopic life forms, such as fungi and bacteria, which live in soil and how beneficial they are.