Rating: 
Summary: "If you are really unlucky, you might die"
Review: "The saliva that they leave behind might make you itchy, or if you are really unlucky, you might die".If you are like me and seem to attract these buzzing beasts you will enjoy this book, although bear in mind it is rather technical and written mainly for the scientifically minded. Some useful information includes: -carbon dioxide and heat attracts them, (but it doesn't seem to be explained here why they seem to like some people more than others, or whether it is just that some people react to bites more than others),
-various species attack different parts of the body (eg some the ankles, some the head),
-some don't attack humans at all,
-some attack only humans and monkeys,
-colours vary-some are black and white striped, (these cause yellow fever), others are brown, others dominantly grey.
-the mosquito has had a significant effect on human history through various mosquito borne diseases (eg Dengue, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Encephalitus, and Rift Valley Fever).
-various mosquito-borne diseases are exclusive to birds, some cross from birds to man, some from horses to man, some from monkeys to man, etc. Some historical plagues and the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are described eg Dengue, Yellow Fever, Malaria , Encephalitus, and Rift Valley Fever. Historically, it was initially ridiculed that tiny organisms could carry tiny diseases, but careful observation and scientific method eventually won the day over 'folk psychology'. Mosquitoes, through recognition of their association with yellow fever and malaria, played a major part in the development of germ theory, and by association much of modern medicine. Pasteur's germ theory, partially based on work done on mosquitoes as disease carriers, contributed much to humankind's better general health in the latter 19th century in particular. Good sanitation and community health went hand in hand with ongoing scientific research, including that done on mosquito-borne diseases. Sanitation has been surprisingly effective against mosquito-borne diseases. Limiting stagnant water and widespread use of household netting has been proven to greatly reduce disease rates. The presence of marshes and wetlands increases prevalence, but so does the presence of the longer- lived and more aggressive species (Incidentally, Alaska has amongst the most aggressive mossies of all-which anyone who has been there in the summer will tell you). A useful read, scientifically astute, but perhaps a little dry, along with most other medical-style texts I have read. Worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bite on this one!
Review: As far as I can tell, this is essentially the same book as "Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe." The first couple of chapters are interesting, but after that, the writing becomes vague, repetitious, and inconsistent in tone, diction, and quality. What should have been a fascinating book filled with both technical information and personal anecdotes (one of the authors is, after all, a leading researcher in mosquito-borne diseases) instead is filled with generalities and handwaving and reads like a C+ term paper hastily pulled from the internet (really!). Don't waste your time!
Rating:
Summary: Don't bite on this one!
Review: As far as I can tell, this is essentially the same book as "Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe." The first couple of chapters are interesting, but after that, the writing becomes vague, repetitious, and inconsistent in tone, diction, and quality. What should have been a fascinating book filled with both technical information and personal anecdotes (one of the authors is, after all, a leading researcher in mosquito-borne diseases) instead is filled with generalities and handwaving and reads like a C+ term paper hastily pulled from the internet (really!). Don't waste your time!
Rating:
Summary: Don't bite on this one!
Review: As far as I can tell, this is essentially the same book as "Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe." The first couple of chapters are interesting, but after that, the writing becomes vague, repetitious, and inconsistent in tone, diction, and quality. What should have been a fascinating book filled with both technical information and personal anecdotes (one of the authors is, after all, a leading researcher in mosquito-borne diseases) instead is filled with generalities and handwaving and reads like a C+ term paper hastily pulled from the internet (really!). Don't waste your time!
Rating: 
Summary: battle preparations
Review: For anyone who must venture outdoors and do battle with one of man's oldest foes, this outstanding volume should be, to borrow an overused line in mutliple action movies, "required reading at the academy." Above that, the text shines as perfect example of a most knowledgable researcher and an accomplished writer coming to together to create a work that is as entertaining as it is informative. It is a concise compulation of first hand research and telling anecdotes, fascinating historical accounts of courageous sacrifices and often tragic outcomes, and practical and promising solutions, in the face of dire predictions and previously lost battles, for finding a way to live with this pesky triumph of evolution.
Rating:
Summary: helpfull book on mosquitoes
Review: I bought this book to do a research for an artistic project. It was more than helpfull... not only that I found resorcefull details on the anathomy of mosquito but I also learnt much about its variations and the environment. Thanks to that my work became more colorfull and realistic.
Rating:
Summary: The full Buzzzzzz....
Review: I especially liked the author's in-depth treatment of the subject; fascinating! A "must-read" for all who live south of the Mason-Dixon Line!
Rating:
Summary: whoa baby...who knew!!!
Review: I was fascinated,educated, mesmerized and horrified by this book.
It was a wonderful read!
Rating:
Summary: A page turner...
Review: It reads like a fast paced novel and I could not keep it down...
One is surprised by how much they learn from the book and it is a great read for anybody who has ever thought "Why can't we just get rid of these things?"... If you like this also see 'Level 4 - Virus Hunters of the CDC'
Rating:
Summary: The Deadliest Insect of Them All
Review: Mosquitoes are perhaps the most dangerous of all insects. Somewhere around 2 million people die each year from mosquito-vectored human malaria alone- many more than are killed in traffic accidents (source: WHO.) Andrew Spielman and Michael D'Antonio have now produced a book that documents the life history of and human association with these tiny vampires and they have generally done a very good job. If you want to know some fascinating facts about mosquitoes, this is a good source. Unfortunately the maps of the distributions of both mosquitoes and the diseases they carry are somewhat out of date. Aedes aegypti is now in Tucson, Las Cruces, and El Paso in the Southwest U.S., and West Nile is in almost every state. Also the information about the vectors of West Nile Virus is an oversimplification. In the western US at least, Culex tarsalis my be a more efficient vector than C. pipiens. Despite these minor flaws, I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best general work on the subject since J. D. Gillett's book "The Mosquito." Unfortunately both are now out of print.
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