Venomous

How Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry

By: Christie Wilcox

Narrated by: Emily Rankin

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A thrilling tale of encounters with nature's masters of biochemistry.

In Venomous, molecular biologist Christie Wilcox investigates venoms and the animals that use them, revealing how they work, what they do to the human body, and how they can revolutionize biochemistry and medicine today.

Wilcox takes us from the coast of Indonesia to the rainforests of Peru in search of the secrets of these mysterious animals. We encounter jellyfish that release microscopic venom-packed darts known to kill humans in just two minutes, a two-inch caterpillar with toxic bristles that trigger hemorrhaging throughout the body, and a stunning blue-ringed octopus with saliva capable of inducing total paralysis. How could an animal as simple as a jellyfish evolve such an intricate, deadly poison? And how can a snake possess enzymes that tear through tissue yet leave its own body unscathed?

Wilcox meets the fearless scientists who often risk their lives studying these lethal beasts to find out and puts her own life on the line to examine these species up close. Drawing on her own research on venom chemistry and evolution, she also shows how venom is helping us untangle the complex mechanisms of some of our most devastating diseases.

Venomous reveals that the animals we fear the most actually hold the keys to a deeper understanding of evolution, adaptation, and immunity. Thrilling and surprising at every turn, Venomous will change the way you think about our natural world.

©2016 Christie Wilcox (P)2016 Random House Audio

Most interesting nonfiction book!

My 11 and nine-year-old boys listened to this with me. They were fascinated! It is definitely not a children’s book. But, with a few pauses to explain more difficult concepts, the kids understood just as well as I did. Most fascinating nonfiction book we’ve listened to.

Very superficial overview.

If you are a chemist of medical student you will find this book to be very superficial. There is little detailed physiology or biochemistry review.

Fascinating subject, well written and superbly presented

Learned many interesting facts about venomous animals including the platypus; and the part about the role in medicine is interesting.

I've been stung

This book is wonderfully written. Technical and bizarre information is presented in a way that is interesting and impactful.

Now I must learn more about these jewel wasps!

Emily is amazing

Would you listen to Venomous again? Why?

Yes, good information presented in a bright, happy way.

What other book might you compare Venomous to and why?

The Emperor of all maladies. Science with heart and compassion.

What about Emily Rankin’s performance did you like?

Lively, the right emphasis, interested in what she is reading, Involved in the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Lady with lime disease bitten by African killer bees.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for the work making this book.

Left me thoroughly wanting to know more.

Gives insightful information and breaks down what I can only imagine are very complicated topics into relatable terms. I thought this book would serve to lull me to sleep on a five hour flight but ended it up piquing my interest and keeping me listening the whole flight. I'm left wanting to know more and will probably listen to this again.

Absolutely Fascinating

This book made me fall in love with venoms in a way I wasn't prepared. It's fascinating, well written, and thought provoking. I ended up buying the paperback so I could make notes and re-read sections as I went. One of the best books I've read in a very long time.

Perfect read for the perpetual learners

Christie Wilcox does a wonderful job of mixing scientific information with fun/interesting facts about toxic creatures.

I loved learning the difference between venomous and poisonous animals; how both hematoxins and neurotoxins can vary in their compositions and potency depending on what it’s used for; and how we can harness the power of say scorpion venom, to aid in pediatric brain surgery.

If you’re in need of an interesting non-fiction read, I definitely recommend. Great narration as well.

A treatise on "toxinology"

Should you ever find yourself bitten by a king cobra, you'll want to have read this book! The author would tell you that the snake's venom isn't really that potent, but the volume delivered in just one bite will likely kill you anyway. It will be painful, but at least you'll feel like you're high just before you die? Dr. Wilcox has prepared a violent cocktail of poisons from the natural world to share with us. The book includes examples of venoms from insects, sea creatures, reptiles, and even mammals as in, my favorite, the platypus. Truly a gripping read for those who are awed by evolution's masterpieces of chemistry, or otherwise described as the endless means by which nature has cleverly figured out how to end us!

extremely good

I have always thought i hated nonfiction, but when I found a different book (darwin comes to town), i quickly realized that what I hate is that dry textbook reading. Venomous is unbelievably far away from that textbook drone, and I find the book's narrator witty as well. I have anxiety, and i need background noise with low emotional context for me - and I absolutely love to listen to this book