Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Venom. The word alone conjures up images of frightening beasties like rattlesnakes and scorpions, but as biologist Wilcox shows in her engrossing survey of the planet's venomous animals, these sometimes deadly creatures are found across the animal kingdom. There are venomous snails, frogs, jellyfish, insects, reptiles, spiders, and even mammals. To be considered venomous, an animal must be proactive that is, it must deliver the venom into another animal. As Wilcox travels the world looking at these dangerously venomous creatures, she treats the reader to a simplified course in biochemistry and the fascinating physiology that goes into an animal's creation of venom. Starting with a visit to a male platypus, who angrily demonstrates his toxic spurs by stabbing a rolled-up towel, she then looks at snakes, bullet ants (possessors of the world's most painful sting), lionfish, sea urchins, a caterpillar that can make you bleed to death, Komodo dragons, and octopuses. Finally, in a nice turnabout to their deadly nature, Wilcox writes of the almost miraculous pharmaceuticals that are being developed from venoms. Superbly entertaining popular science.--Bent, Nancy Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wilcox, a molecular biologist, takes readers on a lively tour of animals that boast the ability to kill and maim others via their venom. Throughout the book, she uses an evolutionary framework to ask and answer questions about the origin and maintenance of venom across a wide swath of the animal kingdom. Wilcox impressively integrates personal anecdotes-once she was stung by a venomous sea urchin while teaching second graders about marine life-with summaries of the scientific literature, and brings to life the wonders of an intriguing but little-known portion of the biological world. She explores various venoms' modes of action: disrupting nerve function, altering blood chemistry, and manipulating immune function. Wilcox discusses current research that has serious implications for human health; in one researcher's estimation, animal venoms are a potential "pharmacological gold mine." There is also reason to believe that it might be possible for scientists to craft a universal antivenom that will save significant numbers of lives annually. Whether she's discussing snakes and pufferfish or Komodo dragons and spiders-not to mention octopuses, snails, platypuses, and bees-Wilcox relates technical biochemical and physiological information in a manner that is accessible and enjoyable. Agency: Susan Rabiner Literary. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In this engaging mixture of science and anecdote, Wilcox (molecular biology, Univ. of Hawaii) explores venom-the peptide-protein substance animals use to defend themselves and subdue prey. It's an evil brew, but, paradoxically, as the burgeoning field of venom "bioprospecting" is discovering, what kills also cures. Readers learn how recent developments in research methods have opened up the pharmacopeia hidden in venom and get a look at therapeutics to come. Wilcox drills down to the molecular level to explain how two types of venom-hemotoxic and neurotoxic-function, how they have evolved, and what they teach us about the human body. The author relates how she was drawn to the topic by her love for animals, which is evident in her descriptions of some fantastic (if fearsome) creatures: the platypus, bullet ant, Komodo dragon, cone snail, box jellyfish, Gila monster, blue-ringed octopus-each of which can maim, destroy, and inflict unimaginable pain. All in all, this is a jolly read considering the occasionally gruesome subject matter. VERDICT Wilcox chronicles the history, present, and future of venom science in a fashion that nonspecialist readers will understand, without depriving her subject of its terrifying, utterly provocative aspects.- Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
