Description
Providing a cover for our delicate and intricate bodies, the skin is our largest and fastest-growing organ. We see it, touch it, and live in it every day. It is a habitat for a mesmerizingly complex world of micro-organisms and physical functions that are vital to our health and our survival. It is also a waste removal plant, a warning system for underlying disease and a dynamic immune barrier to infection.
One of the first things people see about us, skin is crucial to our sense of identity, providing us with social significance and psychological meaning. And yet our skin and the fascinating way it functions is largely unknown to us.
In prose as lucid as his research underlying it is rigorous, blending in memorable stories from the past and from his own medical experience, Monty Lyman has written a revelatory book exploring our outer surface that will surprise and enlighten in equal measure.
Through the lenses of science, sociology, and history – on topics as diverse as the mechanics and magic of touch, the close connection between the skin and the gut, what happens instantly when one gets a paper cut, and how a midnight snack can lead to sunburn – Lyman leads us on a journey across our most underrated and unexplored organ and reveals how our skin is far stranger, more wondrous, and more complex than we have ever imagined.
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Allyson M. W. Dyar –
The problem with reviewing a book months after finishing it (and not taking notes as I usually do for books that I review for NetGalley), is that I’ve forgotten most of the main points of the book.
However, as I read this book during the summer (and during a rather miserable eczema outbreak), I remember that my skin is my friend, not my itchy enemy.
This book is well written and not too difficult to read, written for the non-scientists in mind. It has a really solid glossary and I enjoyed reading the notes section.
If you are interested in knowing more about the largest organ in your body, then I highly recommend this book.
Sanjai –
There’s really nothing in the book you couldn’t read in a science book biology book or scientific journal that they would be more concise
P. Malone –
I checked this book out at the local library, since there was no preview of the contents. As far as writing style, I give him four stars. Especially for a 31 year old. I give him kudos for pointing out that most diseases are multi-factorial, which is true (which is why statins are crap – as if only one things causes most heart disease). And he hints that dietary and environmental factors (diet is not an environmental factor?????) often help improve various skin diseases. I’d say that the vast majority of skin diseases are caused by environmental factors and/or nutritional deficiencies. Some are genetic. He points out that some disease sufferers share a common gene. Big deal, the gene isn’t important, it is how it is expressed (think nutritional deficiency of some sort here). Genes are binary: either off or on. “Bad” genes that are turned off are good. “Good” genes that are turned off are bad. He counsels to use “conventional therapies” (a euphemism for drugs) alongside dietary and nutritional changes (why, so the undocumented side effects of the CT can confound and confuse whether the changes truly work?), which is to be expected from someone so young who has yet to fully grasp the dogma absorbed from his formal education. He makes some interesting claims. This is from a section where he has already listed several things that make psoriasis worse: “Psoriasis is also made worse by alcohol, which can also lead to sufferers forming unhealthy dietary habits and avoiding medical help just when they most need it.” OK, alcohol use will create nutritional deficiencies (magnesium is a big one). But it will cause sufferers to eat wrong and avoid medical help? What, does everyone who drinks alcohol flop down on skid row or something? There is just no way to connect his initial statement with his claim. Total dogmatic crap. Fortunately the book isn’t overflowing with such examples, but it does mar an otherwise interesting story. Stuff like that mainly screws up the flow. Without it, it would be an engrossing and quick read. And of course he’s one of the evangelists of customized genetic medicine/diet. As though anyone can understand the complexity of the human body’s response to its environment sufficiently to create customized food and drugs that are “just right” for each person. Goldilocks medicine!!!! Right, nice fairy tale. We all just need to get better at listening to our bodies. We and Mother Nature can figure most stuff out, as least we could if we weren’t constantly being brainwashed that only an MD can solve your problems. This guy has a lot of potential, but he needs to get rid of the dogma that he’s acquired along the way. He might want to seek out Dr. John Bergman, DC and ask him how he deals with most skin conditions. He needs to get in touch with some true healers and expand his horizons.
Ashlee Bree –
Who would’ve thought that a book about the largest organ in the human body would prove itself to be so much more than “skin deep?” Who would’ve guessed it’d be so much more than some science-y regurgitation that puts readers to sleep with its unpronounceable physiology and dermatology?
Not me, that’s who.
In fact, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how broadly Lyman contextualized skin and our understanding of it. The author accomplishes this by outlining the ways in which it functions – how sweat forms, why cellulite exists, that sort of thing. He also breaks down the physical, emotional, and erotic responses it can elicit, points out societal and historical stigmas it’s left behind, and highlights how things like skin color or disease can help shape perceptions of ourselves as well as the world around us. There’s even an argument made for skin being a large part of what makes us human even though discourse around consciousness/the brain is widely accepted, or much more “en vogue,” so to speak.
(Still don’t buy it, huh? Read this first then get back to me.)
I personally thought the sections about microorganisms and touch were fascinating. I never would’ve known that vaginal vs. c-section births can contribute to our microbiome so minutely, for instance, that the former type can protect us against allergy development later in life. (Like, whaaat? Can I sue?) Just like I had no idea the mere expectation of a loving caress “temporarily changes the composition of the skin” to receive pleasure. I mean, we all know how lovely, how tantalizing, a caress can feel but who knew it changed the skin’s physical makeup in anticipation of receiving it? (Again, not me.)
The case for skin’s “remarkableness” is more than argued in these pages. It’s made.
There’s a lot to unpack here about this woefully overlooked, complex, versatile, outermost organ but it’s worth it! Take the time to “scratch beneath the surface” a little and I promise you won’t be sorry.
Caterina Cassano –
It gave me a new thaught process about our largest organ the Skin.
floret 15 –
Have not finished reading, but enjoying heck out of it so far!
Loren Crow –
Great entertaining book If you like sciency books
Vladimir Druts –
Avevo acquistato per sbaglio a doppio due libri. una copia di entrambi i libri ho fatto il reso ma dei due prodotti di cui ho fatto il reso ho ricevuto un solo rimborso di 12,68 il 23/06 mentre l’altro libro non mi è stato rimborsato
kozstang –
It’s an easy read that leans slightly more to the non biology reader. He writes well, good, relevant research, passionate of his subject. I really enjoyed this book which follows a previous book I read titled,’ Why we sleep’, very easy to tie the two together, something I didn’t expect. Maybe Mr Lyman could have a read of that book and I’m sure he will understand what I mean. I look forward to more writings from this chap,but I don’t think I’d like to do a long journey with him. Great. DJC
Janet –
I gave to a friend that has skin cancer and he reported to me that he was very pleased with the book.
rkgnyc465 –
I’m a sort of medical nerd who just so happens to have had a few bizarre auto-immune skin events. Because skin is the body’s largest organ (yes, it is an organ), I was interested in finding out what it’s all about. You have no idea! Read it and treat your skin with renewed respect, because its life from one day and one year and one decade to the next is positively fascinating. You will be amazed. Good price, ships quickly.
Vladimir Druts –
I have been unable to put it down. Biology fascinated me since I was a young boy and recently launched a conscious organic skincare and wellness brand” FRWRD Skincare”, so I was looking for a worthwhile recap on some things I’ve learned during University biology classes. Have to say that from the beginning of this book I have been unable to put it down. It’s well written, the author is a master storyteller and it’s filled with the perfect combination of examples, narrative and prose.
Can’t recommend enough. I’m having so many mind-blown moments. BUY IT.
Zenda57 –
Anyone with skin, and isn’t that all of us, will be informed by this very well written book. I recommend it highly.