The Remarkable Life of the Skin: An Intimate Journey Across Our Largest Organ by Monty Lyman (PDF)

Description

A fascinating exploration of the skin in its multifaceted physical, psychological, and social aspectsProviding 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 (how much goes on in the simple act of taking keys out of a pocket and unlocking a door is astounding), 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.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review Praise for The Remarkable Life of the Skin:A BBC Radio 4 Book of the WeekShortlisted for the 2019 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize“Lyman’s goal is . . . to teach readers to appreciate an organ that is often ‘invisible in plain sight’ . . . Lyman attempts a comprehensive look at skin [with] sections on touch, pain, the history of tattoos, the science of melanin, how different religions view nudity, and how our skin’s exposure to the sun affects our broader health . . . In a chapter called ‘Skin Safari,’ Lyman gives a tour of the denizens of our skin . . . Bear in mind that the skin microbiome has always been with us, and includes at least as many microorganisms as you have cells in your entire body―maybe three times as many. It is you, in a very real way, and it serves purposes we’re only beginning to understand.”―New Yorker“Peels back the layers of our largest and most versatile organ to reveal its physical, social, and psychological features . . . Lyman conveys both the science of the skin as well as its many wonders and paradoxes while imparting much practical advice on its care . . . This brilliant synthesis will be an engrossing read for anyone interested in human health and biology.”―Library Journal (starred review)“Our skin is much more than organic bubble wrap that keeps our ‘insides’ safely where they belong . . . Common dermatological diseases are deftly discussed [and] tantalizing tidbits of information abound . . . The many wonders of skin are superbly detailed in Lyman’s thoughtful, informative treatise.”―Booklist (starred review)“More than just a collection of interesting case studies and fun facts―though it is that, too―this book spans a range of fields in basic science and social science in its depiction of the skin’s many roles . . . Throughout this wide-ranging narrative, the author’s writing is clear and not overly technical, and he excels in relating even the most esoteric subjects to a shared human experience . . . Illuminating and thought-provoking, this book elicits a new awareness of and appreciation for the skin.”―Kirkus Reviews“Lyman, a doctor of acute general medicine, presents a panoramic view of human skin in his excellent debut . . . Whether one’s interests are in science and medicine, or in sociology and anthropology, there is something for a wide range of readers in Lyman’s skillful work.”―Publishers Weekly“This microscopic look at skin is crawling with revelations, from tiny mites to cellulite and skin care . . . An exciting introduction to a little-known universe and to a talented new writer.”―Sunday Times (UK)“A seriously entertaining book . . . Here are things you wish you’d known about the skin years ago . . . Clever, optimistic.”―Times (UK)“Lyman peels back the science on human skin in this absorbing, fact-packed study.”―Nature“Fascinating . . . Takes us beneath the surface of our largest and least-known organ.”―Daily Express“This book’s a gem.”―Irish Examiner About the Author Dr. Monty Lyman traveled the globe to research The Remarkable Life of the Skin, including Africa, South Asia, and Australasia. He studied at the universities of Oxford, Birmingham, and Imperial College London. He has worked in a world-leading dermatology laboratory, been the national head of undergraduate and junior doctor dermatology in the UK, has won several national prizes in dermatology and medical writing, and has given many talks at national conferences. In 2017 he won the Wilfred Thesiger Travel Writing Award for his report on a dermatological research trip to Tanzania, presented by Colin Thubron, President of the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Oxford, England.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐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.

⭐Anyone with skin, and isn’t that all of us, will be informed by this very well written book. I recommend it highly.

⭐I gave to a friend that has skin cancer and he reported to me that he was very pleased with the book.

⭐Have not finished reading, but enjoying heck out of it so far!

⭐Great entertaining book If you like sciency books

⭐Such an interesting book! The author is a great writer, and throws in a few stories here and there to drive learnings home. Was so pleasantly surprised at all of the twists and turns in this book! I now have a new way of looking at/relating to skin.

⭐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.

⭐How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalleyThe Remarkable Life of the Skin is all full of trivia, as well as explanations on processes and parts of the skin, so it’s hard to give you an exact rundown of everything. But there was some very interesting information on suntan, aging and sun protection. Let me just tell you that this book shattered some myths for me.But we don’t just learn trivia from The Remarkable Life of the Skin. It shows you the truly magical world of how we’re built. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this, but whenever I read medical nonfiction it always baffles me how we are made up. How could we ever come into existence? We are so complicated! (And that goes for the rest of living organisms, to be honest, not just us.)The book also stresses the connection between mental health and skin health, and it’s not just about the science of our skin – it’s also about it’s social, interpersonal meaning and they way it shapes who we feel we are.Other than that, The Remarkable Life of the Skin is remarkably easy to read. Medical terminology is used at a minimum, and everything is presented in easy to understand similes or examples. I really found it super easy, and even quick to read. It’s very accessible.I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

⭐This book is a sweeping odyssey across history, sociology and science – restoring our sense of dignity, awe and wonder for our largest but most overlooked organ. From the extremely practical (how to protect your skin in the sun and get over a fear of blushing) to a gruesomely fascinating skin safari (of parasites and mites), to the social and psychological (how our skin communicates more than we could ever imagine), this book is ambitious in its scope but immensely readable and grounded in stories, analogies and shareable facts. Even for a non-scientist like me!

⭐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

⭐I bought this on a whim, as it was recommended to my by Amazon.It is a nicely written book for the layperson; it covers a lot (no pun intended), including fascinating cases which the author has experienced as a doctor. My only criticism is that some of the issues covered were dealt with very briefly; I would like more detail but I think that it is a good introduction to an amazing organ.

⭐Superb book by every measure. I can’t remember if I ever enjoyed a book more.Hooked from the very beginning.It covers an enormous amount of ground in an easy read style (which is NOT a criticism). So many fascinating anecdotes, so much science, so much research.Buy it!

⭐Easy to understand for the non-expert and full of interesting skin secrets! In this book I found Dr Lyman walks you through the skin, from the basics to the more societal and theoretical aspects of our skin. An underrated organ brought to life in this book. Fully recommend for a good relaxed read!

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