Mosquito

A “thoroughly engrossing” (Washington Post Book World) work of popular science from a renowned expert on mosquitoes and a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter.

In this lively and comprehensive portrait of the mosquito, its role in history, and its threat to mankind, Andrew Spielman and Michael D'Antonio take a mosquito's-eye view of nature and man. They show us how mosquitoes breed, live, mate, and die, and introduce us to their enemies, both natural and man-made. The authors present tragic and often grotesque examples of how the mosquito has insinuated itself into human history, from the malaria that devastated invaders of ancient Rome to the current widespread West Nile fever panic.

Filled with little-known facts and remarkable anecdotes that bring this tiny being into larger focus, Mosquito offers fascinating, alarming, and convincing evidence that the sooner we get to know this pesky insect, the better off we'll be.

“A timely natural history.” —New York Times

“A wise and lively account.” —BusinessWeek

“With engaging writing—a blessing in a book dedicated to a bug—the authors reveal almost as much about human nature as they do about summertime's biggest nuisance.” —Dallas Morning News