Our Bodies, Our Planet

A Parasite's History of Us

By: Marcus Hall

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

In praise of parasites, a surprising exploration of the profound impact of biological freeloaders on human history and our daily lives.

Parasites and parasitic relationships are fundamental to life on Earth and to human history. Our Bodies, Our Planet explores how vital they are. Unlike harmful pathogens, parasites may produce no ill effects and may even improve our well-being and the lives of the creatures that surround us. Marcus Hall shows how our fellow travelers have evolved to help keep us alive, or else they themselves will perish. Parasitism is a phenomenon of partnership, and the association of parasite and host has had far-ranging cultural, biological, and possibly geophysical consequences. From Ascaris to Zika, we are instinctively repulsed by these little freeloaders, but what collateral effects do they have on our lives, lifestyles, or even our imagination? As Hall demonstrates, we disregard our parasites at our peril.

©2025 Marcus Hall (P)2025 Tantor Media

how beneficial parasites can be for humans

I appreciated the careful research, the startling relationship between humans and our parasites, the plethora of examples and the author’s dry sense of humor! A fascinating book.