Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are

(Hardback)

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Description

"I can't believe I just said that." "What possessed me to do that" "What's wrong with me" We're constantly seeking answers to these fundamental human questions, and now, science has the answers. The foods we enjoy, the people we love, the emotions we feel, and the beliefs we hold can all be traced back to our DNA, germs, and environment. This witty, colloquial book is popular science at its best, describing in everyday language how genetics, epigenetics, microbiology, and psychology work together to influence our personality and actions. Mixing cutting-edge research and relatable humor, Pleased to Meet Me is filled with fascinating insights that shine a light on who we really are--and how we might become our best selves.

Reviews

I would have read this book on the information about coffee alone, but Im going to really love explaining to people why its not my fault I dont like bacon and my love of hot sauce is actually my way of thrill seeking. So, go grab this book if you want to learn some amazing things while being thoroughly amused. Amys Book-et List

There are so many interesting tidbits that you could use as cocktail party conversation- the study of nursery schoolers personality traits that predicts political affiliation 20 years later, acetaminophen has been shown to decrease empathy, birds are better at multitasking than people...(Whydosmokers drink a lot of coffee) Bookchickdi

Just know that the writing is top notch and the content will keep you interested long after you put the book down. Its funny, interesting, and unforgettable - what more could you want, right I know I loved it. A Bookish Way of LIfe

There is so much to unpack in this book. First, I need to mention that its written with a lot of humor to make it more readable, especially the first half or so. Second, any book that tells of the Kenny Rogers Seinfeld episode has already won me over. Stacys Books

Sullivan delivers the science behind these concepts with humor and approachability. JulzReads

I laughed out loud more than once as the author described gene therapy as easy as a Matchbox Twenty guitar solo and comparing religion to duct tape despite the monumental discoveries driven by science, some people still really love the duct tape.
--Orange County Readers

This is accessible genetics the way you wish your high school biology teacher would have taught things and is filled with pop-culture references and engaging language that will appeal to science buffs and curious minds alike. Stephanies Book Reviews

Pleased to Meet Memay very possibly give you a case of the goosebumps as you have one epiphany after another as Sullivan teaches us to take a long hard look at all the things that miraculously came together to make us truly unique.Whether youre interested in science or simply the human condition, this should be mandatory reading. Jathan & Heather

Honestly, this book is sort of mind-blowing. I feel like I have a whole new grasp on a lot of concepts that I had never even thought of before. Im really just hoping this helps me with a pub quiz soon. The Desert Bibliophile
There are constant gems of information that are either fascinating all on their own or feel highly applicable to day-to-day life. Sara Ames-Foley

Its a quick read that I was able to step away from feeling quite a bit smarter than when I started. Pauls Picks

Ive been thinking of this book often since finishing it, and I think Ill be returning to it often as well, because there are so many times that the topics it covers arise whether in the news, conversation, other reading everywhere, really. Whats Nonfiction

In equal parts approachable and mind-blowing. Sullivan gives us a whistle-stop tour of the myriad factors that make you who you areDavid Eagleman, host of PBSs The Brain with David Eagleman

From microbes that make you intoxicated to the genetic demons hiding within your DNA, Pleased to Meet Me is a whirlwind journey through human biology. Deftly weaving cutting-edge science with popular culture, this accessible book will leave you wanting more.
Sharon Moalem, PhD, author of Survival of the Sickest

A rare treat: A book thats fun to read from cover to cover, while leaving you wiser and better-informed about who you really are.
Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible

Bill Sullivan is a sympathetic guide who understands your dislike of exercise and most things healthy. This wide-ranging tome puts a new light on human pursuits, including eating, drinking, thinking, sex, free will, even politics and religion, all presented with topical humor and wit.
Scott Anderson, co-author of The Psychobiotic Revolution

Bill Sullivan artfully reports on how our genes interact with our surroundings to shape our unique personalities and the people weve become. A beautiful melding of science and the human experience.
Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, author of Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachels Autism

Pleased to Meet Me is as close to philosophy as science books get. Infused with Sullivans witty voice, the book exposes us as the biological machines we really are. Youll be quoting it to your friends.
Dr. Alanna Collen, author of 10% Human

Pleased to Meet Me makes you see the world in a new way. We like to think were totally in control of how we think and act, but Sullivan makes a strong case that our beloved agency is not what we think it is.
Matthew Simon, Wired science writer and author of Plight of the Living Dead

"Filled with surprising facts, witty anecdotes, and engaging explorations of the biological forces that make us who we are,Pleased to Meet Me is a must-read for anyone interested in an intelligent approach to self-discovery. BillSullivan translates cutting-edge science into practical insights about theways that genes, germs, and environment shape our health, happiness, and relationships. This delightful book will change the way you see yourselfand will provide newfound empathy for others."
Ty Tashiro, author of Awkward and The Science of Happily Ever After

A book for everyone with an interest in human behavior, Pleased to Meet Me achieves the rare feat of presenting of scientific information that is also fun to read. Not only will your knowledge be greatly enhanced, but youre more likely to become more compassionate as well.
James E. Alcock, PhD, author of Belief

Author Bio

BILL SULLIVAN is a professor of pharmacology and microbiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he studies infectious disease and genetics. An award-winning researcher, teacher, and science communicator, Sullivan has been featured in a wide variety of outlets, including CNN, Scientific American, Cosmos magazines, PLOS SciComm, The Naked Scientists, and The Scientist.