The Modern Scholar

Unseen Diversity: The World of Bacteria

By: Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer

Narrated by: Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer

Bacteria are the most overlooked organisms on your nature walk. You see birds, trees, and wildflowers. You may even examine fungi, rock formations, mosses, lichens, nests, tracks, and insects. However, it is likely that you are not seeing bacteria even though you may know they are there in countless numbers, far outnumbering the other organisms, and that their influence on the environment is vast and profound.Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer of Wheaton College examines the role of bacteria as major players in Earth's biodiversity. In the course of these fascinating lectures, Professor Dyer delves into the history of microbiology, the four billion year history of bacteria and archaea as the dominant organisms on Earth, and the place of pathogens in the greater context of the bacterial world. This course serves as both a field guide for curious naturalists and a friendly introduction to the world of bacteria and archaea.

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Download the accompanying reference guide.©2008 Betsey Dexter Dyer (P)2008 Recorded Books

Even THINKING about it? Go ahead and get it!

I picked this up on one of Audible's super sales (I think I got it for $5) and I absolutely loved it. Yes, I'm a science geek, and your average person is not going to appreciate this course but, if you're at all curious about microbes and the history of science, I can assure you this is an excellent course. The professor obviously loves her subject and communicates well (this is a series of lectures, not really an "audiobook" per se). It is aimed at the curious, not the wanna-be microbiologist, so it's not TOO technical and I assure you that you will be impressed with all that bacteria do to make life possible for us.

Fascinating

Would you listen to The Modern Scholar again? Why?

Yes, I have several more Modern Scholar titles in my wish list, and have a few already in my library.

What did you like best about this story?

Now I know why Swiss cheese smells like sweaty feet.

Which character – as performed by the narrator – was your favorite?

N/A

Any additional comments?

Now I want to set up a column full of swamp mud and grow my own bacteria. The sections on bacterial metabolism were particularly interesting.

Gret book.

great book. I am re listening to certain chapters over and over to get it all.

Engaging and interesting

I'm interested in environmental microbiology but don't have an academic background in biology. This book was a good introduction to the major classifications of bacteria, without the usual emphasis on just pathogens. I enjoyed the author's voice. She was very easy to listen to and I felt like I got a lot out of it. I definitely appreciate the "field guide" format, and ordered her book for more :)

A passion for bacteria

The author is passionate about her subject and the information is compelling. The presentation style is like a lecture so you should not expect zippy over enthusiastic selling of ideas. There are several noteworthy facts about bacteria: for example, haemoglobin was developed in bacteria to sequester oxygen because it interefered with early life processes. Only later in the evolutionary descent was that protein used to carry oxygen where it is needed. This is a useful note if you are arguing against "intelligent" design and "intrinsic complexity"

perfect

exactly what I was looking for. complete information. I just needed an overview about bacteria, but I got way more than that.

Yay bacteria!

The Professor's enthusiasm for bacteria is contagious, which apparently very few bacteria are, at least only a extremely small percentage will make you sick. I usually prefer lectures laced with humor or even sarcasm ( my usual area of interest is history /anthropology snd the study of humans sometimes needs a little sarcasm ). In this case, a really sincere interest in the subject makes the lectures as interesting to listen to as they are informative.

Welcome to the real world

This is a systematic and methodological overview of the most numerous and important life forms. Most people will have their worldview of biology turned upside down. Naturalists and scientists will be reminded the the bacteria are running the show. It's a new look at nature and a framework about the hidden world that is everywhere. I ordered the author's field guide and plan to use it future nature walks.

Entertaining Introduction to Microcosmia

A well-thought-out series of lectures focusing on some detailed aspects of a diverse topic. It is 50 % entertainment and 50% education, not a bad balance for the general public.

Utterly fascinating and life changing lectures!

Professor Dyer's lectures on bacteria are incredibly gripping, well put together, and full of fascinating information. It is obvious to me, a fellow academic (though in History, not in any hard science), that she is presenting the very basic, watered-down version here, but it's quite enough for a non-specialist. There were only a few places where I hungered for more information and really wished that she hadn't cut out some of the more challenging details. Overall, this is a wonderful series of lectures that will make you think about and look at bacteria--and even yourself--in a whole new way. I also really like her voice. I purchased the other Modern Scholar lecture series she did, "The Basics of Genetics," and am looking forward to listening to it.