'A restless intellect... [Blaser] has devoted most of his working life to the study.' The New Yorker 'I have often wondered why kids today seem to have such a high incidence of asthma, ear infections, allergies, reflux oesophagitis and so many other conditions that I rarely saw growing up. This mystery has been solved by the pioneering work of Dr Martin Blaser and is communicated brilliantly in Missing Microbes. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this book to your own health, to the health of your children and grandchildren and to the health of our society. Missing Microbes is truly a must read.' Arthur Agatston, New York Times bestselling author of THE SOUTH BEACH DIET 'We live today in a world of modern plagues, defined by the alarming rise of asthma, diabetes, obesity, food allergies and metabolic disorders. This is no accident, argues Martin Blaser, the renowned medical researcher: the common link being the destruction of vital bacteria through the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Missing Microbes is science writing at its very best-crisply argued and beautifully written, with stunning insights about the human microbiome and workable solutions to an urgent global crisis.' David M. Oshinsky, Pulitzer prize-winning author of POLIO 'Why are you fat, why does your son has asthma, and why is your thireen-year-old daughter six feet tall? Martin Blaser says our bodies are missing vital, beneficial bacteria, and I guarantee that after reading this book you will agree. Take a pass on the antibiotics and read Missing Microbes.' Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer 'Dr Blaser's credibility as a world class scientist and physician makes this exploration of our body's microbial world particularly provocative. Missing Microbes will make you rethink some fundamental ideas about infection. Blaser's gift is to write clearly and to take the reader on a fascinating journey through the paradoxes and insights about the teeming world within us.' Abraham Verghese MD, bestselling author of CUTTING FOR STONE 'Fascinating and passionate.' Bookseller 'Most bacteria are our friends even if we don't yet realize it. In this book, Martin Blaser opens a window on the unseen microbes who live with us and have made us their home. We should appreciate them for everything they do for us - including keeping many nasty pathogens at bay. I recommend Missing Microbes to everyone, whether scientist or lay reader. Let's make peace, not war, with the bacteria who support us.' Sir Richard J. Roberts, Nobel Prize-winning biologist 'An engrossing examination of the relatively unheralded yet dominant form of life on Earth.' Publishers Weekly 'A masterful work of preventive health and superb science writing.' Booklist

Dr Martin Blaser is a world-renowned expert on the role of bacteria in human disease. He is Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine, where he directs the Human Microbiome Program, and his work has been published in leading journals including BMJ and the Lancet. Blaser and his groundbreaking research have been covered by the BBC, CNN, Wired, New Scientist, Nature, The New Yorker, the New York Times, and many others. He lives in New York City.