Our Bodies, Our Planet

Marcus Hall takes readers on an illuminating historical tour of the human microbiome, arguing that we should consider extending the conservationist agenda to the many parasites that call us home. The most thought-provoking book I’ve read in ages. * J. R. McNeill, author of The Webs of Humankind and Something New Under the Sun *This book will change everything you thought you knew about parasites. Hall takes us on an exhilarating journey, upending preconceptions and accepted wisdom, and encouraging us to embrace our inner parasites. * Nicole Boivin, Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology and Honorary Professor, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland *Marcus Hall’s book broadens our view of world health by its laser focus on parasites as a collective protagonist. And more so this book highlights the historical ecology of parasites as a category of the study of affliction. An excellent and challenging book. * James C. McCann, Professor Emeritus of History, Boston University *

Marcus Hall is Professor of Environmental History at the University of Zurich. His books include Earth Repair (2005), Restoration and History (2009) and Mosquitopia (with Dan Tamr, 2021).