Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us Kindle Edition

I mostly liked this book but did have a couple of moments when I nearly threw it across the room. I think a lot of the science in Slime is likely sound, but there’s a few hand-wavy moments when I think Kassinger goes wrong. For instance, she says that our “human” cells are outnumbered 100 to 1 by those of our microbiota, which is just wrong. Even the 10-1 ratio in popular media is way high. Scientists I’ve talked to when I’ve written about the human microbiota have said it’s more likely 1-1, but much is still unknown. There’s a few sketchy instances like that in this book, plus a few others that triggered my marketing-goo alert (I mean, who says you can go shop for a source’s products at such and such dot com?). There’s also a strong element of travelogue here that makes me think science writing needs to take a close look at its carbon footprint. No doubt, algae is hyper critical to our planetary future. If you’re looking for a deep dive into how humans might engineer algae to their advantage, this book is a good launch pad. Kassinger is a proper algae evangelical.

I chose this book for my high school sophomore science book club based on a few references to it on podcasts. I was not sorry. Although the book covers a lot of serious science subjects, the material is presented in an interesting and engaging manner. I have had several lively discussions with my students, who are learning a lot of important facts- not only about living organisms they have not thought much about before, but also about the impacts of climate change and population growth on that life. The book also addresses technologies involving these organisms that may play a key role in our future comfort and survival. I will recommend this to colleagues, friends and students.

There’s more to algae than most of us think. The author has done a masterful job of turning a scientific subject into a readable, fascinating, and enjoyable story. Her research is thorough, both in terms of cited reference works, but even more so in terms of actual visits to, and interviews with, people engaged in the algae business and algae research.I found the discussion of Earth’s early algae interesting and surprising. We humans beat ourselves up over climate change, but ancient algae did far worse—they utterly transformed the planet. Of course, they did it unwittingly, and in a way that would, much later, benefit us.From the author takes us on a world tour of the algae industry—both small and large scale—as well as to the places where scientists study algae. The pictures of algae types included in the book helped me visualize the many varieties.The section discussing algae as a fuel resonated with me. I worked as an engineer and technology manager with the U.S. Navy, and well recall the Great Green Fleet initiatives of 2012. These included powering both ships and aircraft with fuel made from algae.The section discussing algae as food spurred another memory. In elementary school, we got a new student in class one day, a boy from Japan. As a gift, he brought enough snacks for the entire class—seaweed crackers. As I recall, they were far from the tastiest crackers I ever ate. Still, it is intriguing how many foods can be made from algae and seaweeds. In an appendix, the author includes nine recipes you can make. Perhaps, one day soon, algae will become a substantial part of all our meals.The potential for controlled us of algae to mediate or even reverse the greenhouse gas effect is amazing to ponder. One, Earth’s atmosphere was awash in carbon dioxide, and algae transformed it into the oxygen-rich air we breathe today. If CO2 levels rise, can we coax algae to do that again? Maybe, but caution seems warranted here. When humans meddle with our world, unpredictable and undesirable results can occur.Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it. You may think you’re not interested in algae, but this book might prove you wrong.

Author, does a nice job explaining how algae influenced life on earth through the millennia up to this minute. Although a bit pedantic, she explains how algae nurture us puny humans and may solve some of our most perplexing challenges. If you are at all interested in global issues, this is a must-read. It was recently listed on Ira Flatow's science radio story (6/21/19, I think) . Anything he likes, you will like.

Thought it an interesting subject, something fun to read. Turned into a very enjoyable read! I have read much of it while reading aloud to a couple of younger Grandsons. Of course, telling an eight-year-old you are reading a book about Slime is a sure starter !!

Ordinarily a book dealing with the natural sciences has a mind-numbing effect on me, but Ruth Kassinger’s Slime is no dry textbook. It is a charming and amusing read, as well as an informative tale about algae’s foundational role in our lives, its beneficial effects and prospects, as well as some baneful ones. This is not the work of an armchair scientist. Kassinger is a plucky globe-trotter, visiting out-of-the-way and physically (but never personally) inhospitable environments where people are putting algae to use in ways that will surprise you, and that may benefit us for many years to come.

I saw the review in a scientific journal and I thought it might be a fun read. It really was. Totally enjoyable. Not terribly advanced in terms of biology, but I found the content and especially the interviews with people in the 'algae business' quite educational. Highly recommended.

As other reviewers have pointed out, there are issues with the science presented in this book. Kassinger misconstrues many aspects of algal biology and her journey to discover algae is difficult to stomach. Essentially, she is a wealthy woman who had algae show up in the artificial pond that flanks the house she bought on a whim. This upset her, so she used her privilege to travel around the world and learn rudimentary information about algae. This book is a missed opportunity and the author’s narrative will undoubtedly turn many readers off of this interesting subject.

I've always been intrigued with microscopic pond life, diatoms and rotifers but never really realized the valuable contribution algae (slime) makes to all forms of life. Anyway, read this book. You'll learn a lot and it will have you going to the grocery store for pressed sheets of seaweed. To eat. Really!

Would like it with 150 pages less. Somehow after all the research still seems as a little childish seeing in awe how adults talk about science

Es arduo de leer y se hace muy pesado.Lo tengo en pausa.