Carl Zimmer's 'Air-Borne' Explores the Hidden History of Life in the Air

The book examines the evolution of airborne life, its role in disease transmission, and the resurgence of aerobiology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carl Zimmer's new book, 'Air-Borne,' delves into the 4-billion-year history of the aerobiome, the collection of organisms, microbes, and spores that inhabit the air.
The book highlights the neglected field of aerobiology, tracing its origins to Louis Pasteur's 19th-century experiments and its role in understanding airborne disease transmission.
Zimmer explores the impact of airborne life on human health, from historical epidemics like tuberculosis to the modern debate over COVID-19's airborne spread.
The narrative also uncovers darker chapters, such as the development of biological weapons during World War II, which kept aerobiology shrouded in secrecy for decades.
Through vivid storytelling, Zimmer emphasizes the interconnectedness of life in the air and its influence on ecosystems, human history, and public health decisions.