Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

In light of Covid-19, when I saw this book being offered I decided it was time I found out a little bit more about viruses in general. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity. Viruses are "big" and bad and scary... but they're not really. They fill a very necessary role, as I've learned from this book. "Virusphere" is so easy to read and understand that you don't even need to know the basics before starting. That's not to say that Frank Ryan talks down to his readers - he doesn't - but he has done his very best to make this book accessible to the majority... and succeeded brilliantly. A real eye-opener.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

We need to see viruses, not as parasites but as symbionts forming partnerships with their hosts. That's the thesis of this book.

Dr Frank Ryan begins by outlining the huge range of viruses and giving a snapshot of the diverse ways in which they operate. He goes on to describe their contribution to evolution in general and their impact upon the human genome in particular. (Apparently, without viruses there would be no placental mammals.)

Widening he focus from the purely human, he discusses the crucial part they play in the regulation of the biosphere and the evidence for the argument that life on Earth began with viruses and, even suggests that viruses were critical in the development of a sense of self.

The publication of this book during a global pandemic is a timely coincidence but it's also a demonstration of what a hugely important topic this is, and how necessary it has become for all of us to begin to grasp at least some of the fundamentals involved. Fascinating and hugely informative, Virusphere is essential reading for a world struggling to come to terms with Covid 19.

I have to say i found this a bit difficult to get into. I'm not sure what it was because i'm interested in the subject but it might be the effect of lockdown or virus fatigue? :)
In any case - i only managed a few chapters, but thank you for the opportunity to read!