A few of us braved the torrential rain and went to Town Hall Seattle yesterday to hear Carl Zimmer speaking about his book Microcosm. PZ was there – I’m not stalking you, PZ, honest! – and I really enjoyed both the presentation and the conversations before and after. The book is wonderful: I can’t do better than quote Sean Carroll (author of Endless Forms Most Beautiful, another of my favourite science books):
Microcosm could well be entitled Fantastic Voyage. Carl Zimmer, one of our most talented and respected science writers, guides us on a memorable journey into the invisible but amazing world within and around a tiny bacterium. He reveals a life-or-death battle every bit as dramatic as that on the Serengeti and one that offers profound insights into how life is made and evolves. Microcosm expands our sense of wonder by illuminating a microscopic universe few could imagine and instills a sense of pride in the great achievements of the scientists who have discovered and mastered its workings.
As for the problem of autographing a Kindle edition, I persuaded Carl to let me photograph him with my Kindle displaying the title page. I think my camera must have been affected by the rain, because the picture was lousy, but never mind. Many thanks, Carl.