Jack Gilbert's Critical Reads

Dr. Jack Gilbert is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago, Director of the Microbiome Institute, Associate Director of the Institute of Genomic and Systems Biology, Research Associate at the Field Museum of Natural History, and Senior Scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. from Nottingham University. Gilbert discusses Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System, Thu. 6/15 6pm at the Co-op. RSVP and details here.

As a scientist interested in communicating our work to the public an informed mind is essential. Both understanding my own research as well as being able to relate to the people I want to talk to. Therefore, I am providing here a list of works that help me to stay informed, either through non-fiction literature, or sometimes through fiction. I love fiction as it helps me escape from the real, while opening my imagination to other possibilities, which is essential if I am to remain inventive as a scientist. As a microbiome researcher focused on human health, I also appreciate books that help me to understand how our health care system works, and what it means to go through sickness. This helps me to relate to the patients I am working to develop new therapies for.

Atul Gawande, Being Mortal. This was transformative for me, as a Professor of Surgery, I felt real compassion for this perspective on aging, death, life and medicine.

Martin Blaser, Missing Microbes. This was the first microbiome focused book that captured my imagination in a way that inspired me to consider writing my own book.

Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene. As a young scientist this book shaped my understanding of the world, and of the way to communicate science while maintaining the details.

Steve Silberman, Neurotribes. As the father of a child with Autism, I found this book both compelling, infuriating and emotional connective. It helped me to see the world differently.

Ed Yong, I Contain Multitudes. A wonderful book that communicates the microbial world in it's entirety by focusing on the breadth of it through examples. Also my family and my work constitute Chapter 11.

Philip Marsden, Rising Ground. A truly exceptional book that combines beauty and rhythm, and builds a solid vision of the importance of knowing where you are and where you are from.

Naomi Higashida, The Reason I Jump. Another look into the neurodiversity of our world and why understanding it and embracing are so important.

Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex. This made me question and embrace understanding all at once. Conflicting gender roles in our society are now becoming part of its fabric, and this book provides a perspective that enhances your appreciation of that world.

Annie Proulx, That Old Ace in the Hole. Beautiful writing combined with spellbinding narrative are a hallmark of Proulx's work, and embracing an understanding of how history shapes a people is critical to appreciating the people you want to communicate with.

Ian McEwan, On Chesil Beach. In fact anything by McEwan is equally as stunning. But this book has such imagery as to make me swim in the narrative and loose myself.

Peter Ackroyd, The History of England, Vols I-V. A tour de force of helping me as an Englishman understand my history.

Erik Larson, Devil in the White City. Some people don't like this, but any time people can make history stand up and want to be noticed I am in. I love finding out about the history of the places I inhabit. Marsden made me see that clearly. Larson helps me see that for Chicago.

Salman Rushdie, The Enchantress of Florence. I love historical fiction embedded in fact. And Rushdie's work astounds me.

J D Vance, Hillbilly Elegy. Helps me see the other side.