Microbes from hell.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2016. Octavo, black and white photographs, illustrations, fine copy in dustwrapper.
The discovery of an entirely new group of organisms, Archaea, sparked a conceptual revolution in our understanding of the evolution of life, and Patrick Forterre was and still is at the vanguard of this revolution. In Microbes from Hell, the world's leading expert on Archaea and hyperthermophiles, or organisms that have evolved to flourish in extreme temperatures, offers a colourful, engaging account of this taxonomic upheaval.
Blending tales of his own search for thermophiles with discussions of both the physiological challenges thermophiles face and the unique adaptations they have evolved to live in high-temperature environments, Forterre illuminates our developing understanding of the relationship between Archaea and the rest of Earth's organisms. From biotech applications to the latest discoveries in thermophile research, from microbiomes to the communities of organisms that dwell on deep-sea vents, Forterre's exploration of life forms that seem to thrive at the mouth of hell provides a glimpse into the early days of Earth, offering deep insight into what life may have looked like in the extreme environments of our planet's dawn.