Never Home Alone

From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live

By: Rob Dunn

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A natural history of the wilderness in our homes, from the microbes in our showers to the crickets in our basements Even when the floors are sparkling clean and the house seems silent, our domestic domain is wild beyond imagination.

In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly 200,000 species living with us in our own homes, from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards and camel crickets in our basements to the lactobacillus lounging on our kitchen counters. You are not alone. Yet, as we obsess over sterilizing our homes and separating our spaces from nature, we are unwittingly cultivating an entirely new playground for evolution.

These changes are reshaping the organisms that live with us - prompting some to become more dangerous, while undermining those species that benefit our bodies or help us keep more threatening organisms at bay. No one who reads this engrossing, revelatory book will look at their homes in the same way again.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Rob Dunn (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] intriguing and captivating scientific detective story...Dunn eloquently observes that many species we find in our homes have value to us." (BookPage)

"Delightfully entertaining and scientifically enlightening... [Dunn] makes a compelling case for the value of biodiversity, while also conveying the excitement of scientific investigation, demonstrating that important discoveries can be made very close to home." (Publishers Weekly)

"Scintillating...In a time of clear-eyed assessment of the environment, Dunn is a voice of reason who should be heartily welcomed." (Booklist, starred review)

Wonders of this planet right under our noses

I loved it! This is well researched and fascinating. It is also well written, keeping the science fun.

ecology microenvironment put in context

well presented and interesting and this so in a field with a huge lack of information.....bravo

My new favorite author.

This book will blown your mind. There's still so much left to discover! Super interesting subject matter, told by a very entertaining narrator.

Great

Super interesting. I recommend. Good microbes. Learned a lot, and good book to fall asleep to, too.

Delightful!

I loved this book so much. I was surprised, enlightened, and overall delighted. I also eye my shower head with suspicion now, but I did not change it. At least not yet!

Great work

This book offers a great perspective! It is one that we should all learn about. I definitely recommend this book if you want to learn more about microbes and insects and humans relationships with them .

Fascinating and fun

Rob Dunn makes science personal and offers hope for more effective ways to stay healthy. This book would appeal to kids, say ten and up, as well as every adult l know.

Fascinating!

I haven’t stopped recommending this book and, specifically, this narration The narrator was a perfect actor and oh so professional when having to read bacteria names over and over. Try reading Stachybotrys chartarum over and over...a real pro!

Dunn never ceases to amaze!

This book lays out some of the science needed to develop a healthy perspective of how we should manage our homes and the creatures that live there along with us. Put it out on your coffee table and plant the seed among those who flip through its pages to appreciate everything around us, from dust to wasp, shower heads to drywall.

Awesome look into your home.

This was a really fun listen. Great performance and great story. It never got boring and was very informative.