Venomous

How Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry

By: Christie Wilcox

Narrated by: Emily Rankin

A thrilling tale of encounters with nature’s masters of biochemistry

In Venomous, the molecular biologist Christie Wilcox investigates venoms and the animals that use them, revealing how they work, what they do to the human body, and how they can revolutionize biochemistry and medicine today.

Wilcox takes us from the coast of Indonesia to the rainforests of Peru in search of the secrets of these mysterious animals. We encounter jellyfish that release microscopic venom-packed darts known to kill humans in just two minutes, a two-inch caterpillar with toxic bristles that trigger hemorrhaging throughout the body, and a stunning blue-ringed octopus with saliva capable of inducing total paralysis. How could an animal as simple as a jellyfish evolve such an intricate, deadly poison? And how can a snake possess enzymes that tear through tissue yet leave its own body unscathed? Wilcox meets the fearless scientists who often risk their lives studying these lethal beasts to find out, and puts her own life on the line to examine these species up close. Drawing on her own research on venom chemistry and evolution, she also shows how venom is helping us untangle the complex mechanisms of some of our most devastating diseases.

Venomous reveals that the animals we fear the most actually hold the keys to a deeper understanding of evolution, adaptation, and immunity. Thrilling and surprising at every turn, Venomous will change the way you think about our natural world.

Most interesting nonfiction book!

My 11 and nine-year-old boys listened to this with me. They were fascinated! It is definitely not a children’s book. But, with a few pauses to explain more difficult concepts, the kids understood just as well as I did. Most fascinating nonfiction book we’ve listened to.

Such a fun book!

It was a very interesting book! I learned a lot about venoms and what they are good for. Really enjoyed the content and performance was great!

Very superficial overview.

If you are a chemist of medical student you will find this book to be very superficial. There is little detailed physiology or biochemistry review.

Fascinating subject, well written and superbly presented

Learned many interesting facts about venomous animals including the platypus; and the part about the role in medicine is interesting.

I've been stung

This book is wonderfully written. Technical and bizarre information is presented in a way that is interesting and impactful.

Now I must learn more about these jewel wasps!