The Medusa and the Snail: More Notes of a Biology Watcher

I like the style of writing and the wealth of information it provided. It entertains and teaches. I enjoyed it.

I first read Lives of a Cell by Thomas many years ago while in college and it was one of those things that changed my perception of the world. I have re read Lives many times since and always wished to explore more by Thomas. Finally, too many years later, I ordered Medusa and couldn't wait to tear into it. Of course it proved to be everything I had come to expect from reading Lives. Thomas insight, wit and academic humor is not only a pleasure to read but emboldens you to love and respect nature. That we should all do more to preserve the delicate balance of this life.

Truly a great writer on broad biologic topics, making wonderful connections about the biosphere in which we all live. Able to write with great whimsy and wit. A writer of vast experience who is able to express and explore complex topics on a level that most will be able to understand and enjoy. His passing many years ago left an empty void for followers of his prose, which was anticipated regularly by readers of The New England Journal of Medicine.

The ability to absorb large amounts of complicated information and then simplify it for lay persons and chlldren has a special gift. The author was a brilliant physician and gentle spririt. Anyone interested in the unfolding story of science and medicine will like this book.

One of the most fascinating and easy to read books on a scientific topic you're ever likely to find. The author vividly illustrates just how entangled life is, while establishing a metaphor of the earth as a living being itself in a companion book entitled "Lives of a Cell". Once begun, you won't be able to put down either of these books. Highly entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking.

If you like any science you will like this book of interesting and fun facts/essays. Lewis Thomas' style is engaging and entertaining while being instructive.

This is a great book. I wish I had known about it years ago. Lewis Thomas is just a great writer, full of personality and wonder. The first thing you should read is the essay on warts. I know. Why would anyone write about warts? It's one of the finest pieces of writing I've read, and I recommend it to anyone. Uplifting, makes you proud (and humble) to be a human being.

Bought a used one and it was okay to read for a class.

Most essays had a very good point. A couple missed the mark.

Look at the credentials of the author. He's phenomenal. And his insights into nature will teach you a philosophy, unbelievably accurate if you compare it with new scientific insights given by quantum physics.

Typical Lewis Thomas, humane doctor, deep thinker. Great man, great reading, as is everything else he wrote.

Fascinating book by one of the wisest writer of the20th Centyry.

A book contains a selection of unrelated essays, one of which is about the medusa and the snail (literal animals). This was the only one which was slightly interesting. The rest were about some random observations from some random everyday things the author saw while working. With the essays, author tries to look for deeper meaning where there is none. I would call the whole book, except for first essay, as pseudointellectual writings that make the author itself feel smart. Main purpose feels to be that the author gets bragging rights that he wrote a book. I gave this book away after reading, not worth a place on the shelf.