A fascinating exploration of the skin in its multifaceted physical, psychological, and social aspects
A fascinating exploration of the skin in its multifaceted physical, psychological, and social aspects
“Praise for The Remarkable Life of the Skin : A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week Shortlisted for the 2019 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize "Lyman's goal is . . . to teach readers to appreciate an organ that is often 'invisible in plain sight' . . . Lyman attempts a comprehensive look at skin [with] sections on touch, pain, the history of tattoos, the science of melanin, how different religions view nudity, and how our skin's exposure to the sun affects our broader health . . . In a chapter called 'Skin Safari,' Lyman gives a tour of the denizens of our skin . . . Bear in mind that the skin microbiome has always been with us, and includes at least as many microorganisms as you have cells in your entire body--maybe three times as many. It is you, in a very real way, and it serves purposes we're only beginning to understand." -- New Yorker "Peels back the layers of our largest and most versatile organ to reveal its physical, social, and psychological features . . . Lyman conveys both the science of the skin as well as its many wonders and paradoxes while imparting much practical advice on its care . . . This brilliant synthesis will be an engrossing read for anyone interested in human health and biology." -- Library Journal (starred review) "Our skin is much more than organic bubble wrap that keeps our 'insides' safely where they belong . . . Common dermatological diseases are deftly discussed [and] tantalizing tidbits of information abound . . . The many wonders of skin are superbly detailed in Lyman's thoughtful, informative treatise." -- Booklist (starred review) "More than just a collection of interesting case studies and fun facts--though it is that, too--this book spans a range of fields in basic science and social science in its depiction of the skin's many roles . . . Throughout this wide-ranging narrative, the author's writing is clear and not overly technical, and he excels in relating even the most esoteric subjects to a shared human experience . . . Illuminating and thought-provoking, this book elicits a new awareness of and appreciation for the skin." -- Kirkus Reviews "Lyman, a doctor of acute general medicine, presents a panoramic view of human skin in his excellent debut . . . Whether one's interests are in science and medicine, or in sociology and anthropology, there is something for a wide range of readers in Lyman's skillful work." -- Publishers Weekly "This microscopic look at skin is crawling with revelations, from tiny mites to cellulite and skin care . . . An exciting introduction to a little-known universe and to a talented new writer." -- Sunday Times (UK) "A seriously entertaining book . . . Here are things you wish you'd known about the skin years ago . . . Clever, optimistic." -- Times (UK) "Lyman peels back the science on human skin in this absorbing, fact-packed study." -- Nature "Fascinating . . . Takes us beneath the surface of our largest and least-known organ." -- Daily Express "This book's a gem." -- Irish Examiner”
Praise for The Remarkable Life of the Skin:
A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week
Shortlisted for the 2019 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize
"Lyman's goal is . . . to teach readers to appreciate an organ that is often 'invisible in plain sight' . . . Lyman attempts a comprehensive look at skin [with] sections on touch, pain, the history of tattoos, the science of melanin, how different religions view nudity, and how our skin's exposure to the sun affects our broader health . . . In a chapter called 'Skin Safari, ' Lyman gives a tour of the denizens of our skin . . . Bear in mind that the skin microbiome has always been with us, and includes at least as many microorganisms as you have cells in your entire body-maybe three times as many. It is you, in a very real way, and it serves purposes we're only beginning to understand."--New Yorker
"Peels back the layers of our largest and most versatile organ to reveal its physical, social, and psychological features . . . Lyman conveys both the science of the skin as well as its many wonders and paradoxes while imparting much practical advice on its care . . . This brilliant synthesis will be an engrossing read for anyone interested in human health and biology."--Library Journal (starred review)
"Our skin is much more than organic bubble wrap that keeps our 'insides' safely where they belong . . . Common dermatological diseases are deftly discussed [and] tantalizing tidbits of information abound . . . The many wonders of skin are superbly detailed in Lyman's thoughtful, informative treatise."--Booklist (starred review)
"More than just a collection of interesting case studies and fun facts--though it is that, too--this book spans a range of fields in basic science and social science in its depiction of the skin's many roles . . . Throughout this wide-ranging narrative, the author's writing is clear and not overly technical, and he excels in relating even the most esoteric subjects to a shared human experience . . . Illuminating and thought-provoking, this book elicits a new awareness of and appreciation for the skin."--Kirkus Reviews
"Lyman, a doctor of acute general medicine, presents a panoramic view of human skin in his excellent debut . . . Whether one's interests are in science and medicine, or in sociology and anthropology, there is something for a wide range of readers in Lyman's skillful work."--Publishers Weekly
"This microscopic look at skin is crawling with revelations, from tiny mites to cellulite and skin care . . . An exciting introduction to a little-known universe and to a talented new writer."--Sunday Times (UK)
"A seriously entertaining book . . . Here are things you wish you'd known about the skin years ago . . . Clever, optimistic."--Times (UK)
"Lyman peels back the science on human skin in this absorbing, fact-packed study."--Nature
"Fascinating . . . Takes us beneath the surface of our largest and least-known organ."--Daily Express
"This book's a gem."--Irish Examiner
Dr. Monty Lyman traveled the globe to research The Remarkable Life of the Skin, including Africa, South Asia, and Australasia. He studied at the universities of Oxford, Birmingham, and Imperial College London. He has worked in a world-leading dermatology laboratory, been the national head of undergraduate and junior doctor dermatology in the UK, has won several national prizes in dermatology and medical writing, and has given many talks at national conferences. In 2017 he won the Wilfred Thesiger Travel Writing Award for his report on a dermatological research trip to Tanzania, presented by Colin Thubron, President of the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Oxford, England.
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