Anthony Bonacolta presents a curated selection of popular literature in the field of protistology. He highlights key books that offer valuable insights into the fascinating world of protists for a general audience. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to deepen your knowledge, we believe you’ll find inspiration for further reading.
Protistology is a field rich with discovery, yet it often flies under the radar to the general public, even among other biologists. While the study of protists has driven groundbreaking advances in cell biology, evolution, and ecology, few outside our discipline fully grasp their scientific importance. Even within protistology, many of us are unaware of the fascinating stories and discoveries that shaped our field, or even that there are popular science books covering it. Fortunately, a growing body of literature is bringing protistology to wider audiences while offering valuable insights for seasoned scientists. Below are some book recommendations that have either deepened my appreciation for the remarkable world of protists or have been highly recommended to me by fellow protistologists:
Microbe Hunters by Paul De Kruif
October 2002; Harvest; 9780156027779; paperback (384 pages, $18.99). Also available in audio and eTextbook.
This classic of popular science, first published in 1926, has influenced generations of microbiologists. It recounts the early foundations of microbiology from the discovery of the microscopic world to the invention of the first vaccines. While focusing broadly on microbiology, protists are clearly central to many of these early discoveries.
One Plus One Equals One by John Archibald
July 2014; Oxford University Press; 9780199660599; Hardcover; 288 pages; $41.99. Also available in paperback and ebook.
This compelling and succinct narrative, written by a fellow protistologist, dives into the evolution of eukaryotic cells through endosymbiosis. Dr. Archibald combines history, molecular biology, and personal anecdotes to explain how symbiotic relationships, particularly between protists and their symbiotic partners, have driven evolutionary innovation and led to many significant modern scientific breakthroughs.
The Tangled Tree by David Quammen
August 2019; Simon & Schuster; 9781476776637; Trade Paperback; 480 pages; $19.99. Also available in audio and ebook.
Renowned popular science writer, David Quammen, delves into the revolution in evolutionary biology sparked by horizontal gene transfer. This book provides a sweeping overview of how our understanding of the tree of life has shifted since Darwin’s famous “I think..” sketch, with protists playing a crucial role in reshaping evolutionary theory at nearly every step.
I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong
August 2016; Ecco; 9780062368591; Hardcover; 368 pages; $30.00. Also available in paperback, audio, and ebook.
A modern classic that explores the fascinating relationships between microbes and the macroscopic world. Ed Yong elegantly conveys how microbes shape ecosystems and the health of all living things. While mostly focusing on microbiomes and other microbes, this book offers key insights into the ecology of protists and how essential they are to many ecosystems. Perfect for those interested in protists from the ecological perspective. Personally, this book was very influential to my scientific thinking, having come across it during my undergraduate studies.
Microcosmos by Lynn Margulis & Dorion Sagan
May 1997; University of California Press; 9780520210646; Paperback; 304 pages; $31.95. Also available in ebook.
One of Dr. Margulis’s seminal works which presents a bold vision of life’s history through the lens of microbial evolution. Dr. Margulis’s re-popularization of the endosymbiosis theory transformed how we think about the origins of complex cells, and protists are at the heart of this story.
The Amoeba in the Room by Nicholas Money
March 2014; Oxford University Press; 9780199941315; Hardcover; 224 pages; $46.99. Also available as an ebook.
This book attempts to bring overlooked microscopic life into the public focus, emphasizing the ecological and evolutionary significance of protists. Nicholas Money challenges the animal-centric view of biology and encourages readers to appreciate the diversity and complexity of microbial life, which in my opinion is the goal of many protistologists when sharing our work with others.
Our members are also writing general science book publications:
Where Are You From? by David J.S. Montagnes
January 2025; Independently published; 9798304214490; Paperback; 98 pages; $15.99. Available at Amazon.
David, an ecologist and artist, combines his illustrations with scientific literature to highlight twenty-six species of animals and plants from across the British Isles. Each entry provides insights into the species’ origins, while also evaluating our approaches to species introduction and the resulting ecological and cultural changes.
