Wicked Bugs

The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army and Other Diabolical Insects

By: Amy Stewart

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes - creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world's most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary powers of many-legged creatures.

With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. It's an A to Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections that explore bugs with kinky sex lives, creatures lurking in the cupboard, militant ants, and phobias that feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs.

Wicked Bugs is a fascinating mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins - but doesn't end - in your own backyard.

©2011 Amy Stewart (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Stewart amusingly but analytically profiles the baddest bugs around in quick but attention-grabbing snapshots of little creatures that pack a lot of punch." ( Booklist)

More Nightmares than Stephen King's Best

Would you listen to Wicked Bugs again? Why?

I'll definitely listen to this book again - so much information was packed into a very short read, I want to make sure I heard everything.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Was it the magots? The worms? The mind-controlling parasites? So hard to choose . . .

What does Coleen Marlo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This book, with the wrong reader, could have been dull, plodding, and full of dreadful mispronounciations. Coleen Marlo is a lively reader, and her ability to pronounce complex Latin names without hesitating is admirable. Definitely the right narrator for this book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I woke up in the middle of the night with a nightmare that I had bugs in my body. I wouldn't recommend listening to this right before bed.

Any additional comments?

I'm planning on ordering "Wicked Plants" by the same author.

Better To Read This One

I don't know if the original book contains illustrations, but it's not a book well suited to audio. I give the reader credit for pronunciation of some challenging words, but it's awkward trying to follow what's basically a list of interesting (if not exactly scientifcally presented) factoids in this format.

Interesting subject - but narration confusing

I could never finish this book because of narration issues. I tried to read it twice, but had to stop because the editing is superbly bad. Pauses are very few and information plentiful, therefore extremely difficult to assimilate and understand. The narrator seems in such a hurry! Please, take a break!

interesting subject

interesting subject but a bit hard to follow in the audio book format. seems like it would probably be a book that is better to read in print.

Interesting but my skin kept crawling.

This is an entertaining book, though she picked many bugs common to the more sciencey TV channels so I knew some of this already. I like bugs, so I was surprised how my skin still crawled at some of the descriptions though in my head I wasnt grossed out at all. People with weaker constitutions towards creepy crawlies should probably stay away from this book.

Interesting, but Not Narrative

The factual information in this book is interesting and no doubt well-researched. It was not, however, what I expected. I was hoping for something a bit more narrative. If one is looking for a catalog of insect names, species and some of their distinct characteristics then it is fine. However, if one is looking for a bit more historical or narrative content, then one will likely be disappointed.

Nothing but wicked

Fascinating from 8-80. Science at its most bizarre and how fun. You will never look at an ant or a grasshopper the same, again. I have all of the Wicked books and audibles. Every time I read or listen to one I learn something new.

Another great Amy Stewart book!!

Very good book. A close second to my favorite Amy Stewart book, "Wicked Plants". Coleen Marlo does her usual awesome job of keeping my attention...and giggling to myself. Very interesting, entertaining and informative.

Loved This

What made the experience of listening to Wicked Bugs the most enjoyable?

Every chapter gave interesting stories about notable bugs. I loved hearing out they were discovered and what ailments/catastrophes they caused.

Probably better in print

Admittedly, I haven't finished listening to it. Fine performance, and even better book, however, I do believe that it is better in the printed version (which I don't have). I found myself frantically googling the names and pictures of the animals, trying to guess the latin spelling from listening. After the fifth bug I had to stop listening as I am living in a tropical climate and just about anything can live here (our wasps are as big as a child's thumb), and I got a bit scared. So, great concept, fantastic research, and next time I'll get the printed book to peruse at my own leisure.