Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us

There’s more to algae than most of us think. The author has done a masterful job of turning a scientific subject into a readable, fascinating, and enjoyable story. Her research is thorough, both in terms of cited reference works, but even more so in terms of actual visits to, and interviews with, people engaged in the algae business and algae research.I found the discussion of Earth’s early algae interesting and surprising. We humans beat ourselves up over climate change, but ancient algae did far worse—they utterly transformed the planet. Of course, they did it unwittingly, and in a way that would, much later, benefit us.From the author takes us on a world tour of the algae industry—both small and large scale—as well as to the places where scientists study algae. The pictures of algae types included in the book helped me visualize the many varieties.The section discussing algae as a fuel resonated with me. I worked as an engineer and technology manager with the U.S. Navy, and well recall the Great Green Fleet initiatives of 2012. These included powering both ships and aircraft with fuel made from algae.The section discussing algae as food spurred another memory. In elementary school, we got a new student in class one day, a boy from Japan. As a gift, he brought enough snacks for the entire class—seaweed crackers. As I recall, they were far from the tastiest crackers I ever ate. Still, it is intriguing how many foods can be made from algae and seaweeds. In an appendix, the author includes nine recipes you can make. Perhaps, one day soon, algae will become a substantial part of all our meals.The potential for controlled us of algae to mediate or even reverse the greenhouse gas effect is amazing to ponder. One, Earth’s atmosphere was awash in carbon dioxide, and algae transformed it into the oxygen-rich air we breathe today. If CO2 levels rise, can we coax algae to do that again? Maybe, but caution seems warranted here. When humans meddle with our world, unpredictable and undesirable results can occur.Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it. You may think you’re not interested in algae, but this book might prove you wrong.

Would like it with 150 pages less. Somehow after all the research still seems as a little childish seeing in awe how adults talk about science

Es arduo de leer y se hace muy pesado.Lo tengo en pausa.

I've always been intrigued with microscopic pond life, diatoms and rotifers but never really realized the valuable contribution algae (slime) makes to all forms of life. Anyway, read this book. You'll learn a lot and it will have you going to the grocery store for pressed sheets of seaweed. To eat. Really!

Ordinarily a book dealing with the natural sciences has a mind-numbing effect on me, but Ruth Kassinger’s Slime is no dry textbook. It is a charming and amusing read, as well as an informative tale about algae’s foundational role in our lives, its beneficial effects and prospects, as well as some baneful ones. This is not the work of an armchair scientist. Kassinger is a plucky globe-trotter, visiting out-of-the-way and physically (but never personally) inhospitable environments where people are putting algae to use in ways that will surprise you, and that may benefit us for many years to come.