出井雅彦・佐藤晋也・ディビッドマン (2020) 驚異の珪藻世界, 創元社, pp. 176 (Idei M, Sato S & Mann DG (2020) The Amazing World of Diatoms, Sogensha, pp. 176).
The amazing world of diatoms provides an overall, well written and easy to follow description of diatoms, providing useful and very important information regarding diatoms. The book covers all the important and interesting facts on these interesting organisms from their morphology to their colonization, their motility and importance in our daily lives. From the first page the reader is drawn in to the wonder of these amazing organisms, I mean they live in glasshouses how can one not wait to read through the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book as the authors love, passion and vast knowledge on the topic are seen on every page drawing in the reader and increasing their excitement. The authors present the topic of diatoms in an interesting manner emphasizing the importance of diatoms and how they fit into nature and our daily lives, bringing this interesting organism to live through the pages of the book. Not only did the book focus on the extremely fascinating and basics of diatom research but the authors also emphasized their importance to our daily lives through different examples as to how they are used and contribute to the livelihoods of all humans and the natural environment. This includes discussions on their contribution in the carbon cycle and production of oxygen. What I really enjoyed was the way in which the book presented factually correct information on diatom research in easily to digest paragraphs and relevant sections without coming across as a text book. A lot can be learned or even relearned from the book as it provides information that even a seasoned diatomist might have not known or even have forgotten about. All this amazing information is supported by some of the most stunningly, mesmerizingly beautiful diatoms images I have seen, highlighting the beauty of diatoms as well as their structure and finer details of their organelles, all from the author’s own lenses. The choice of pictures used as well as the details of each image from the raphe to the areola is just breath-taking. The pictures alone will ensure that each person that picks up and reads the book is drawn in, captivated by each unique organisms.
The unique structure, layout and impressive images will draw in a wide audience from all disciplines and increase every reader’s interest in diatoms. The book is well written and makes the information and learning about diatoms so much more exciting and accessible to all. This will ensure that a larger audience learns about and are interested in these fascinating highly beautiful organisms.
Selection of the beautiful diatom images
The book will make a massive impact on the field of diatoms and diatom research as it will ensure that a larger audience are introduced to the amazing world of diatoms and ensure that their beauty and importance are shared to an audience that would never have been reached. The book will make a great introductory read as well as text book for first time students starting their professional career in diatom research. I am for sure going to ensure that all current students and students starting their research journey on diatoms read this book first as it will set them in a good position going forward with their research. This will ensure that they have the basic information on diatom morphology, motility, reproduction, etc. that they require for their future research. I am also recommending the book to all my family members and friends. After reading through the book they will definitely have a better understanding on diatoms and the research that we do.
10/10 I will definitely recommend the book to colleagues, friends and family members.
Example page
*Dr. Anrich Kock is a Postdoc at the North-West University, South Africa.
The pictures included in this review, from the front and selection of images of the book, were made available by and are here reproduced with authorisation from Shinya Sato and the publisher.
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Posted on April 23rd. Happy St. Jordi’s day or day of the book!