Category Archives: Worms

Ultimate procrastination

Posted on November 20, 2007 by acb

Thanks to John Naughton I have just stumbled upon a site which appears to list every public or semi-public talk being given in or around Cambridge University. It is a glorious searchable toyshop of interesting ideas and almost the best … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blather, God, Journalism, Net stories, nördig, Science without worms, Software, Worms | 2 Comments

“Once upon a Time” in Japanese

Posted on May 23, 2006 by acb

An unexpected heavy parcel today contained five copies of the Worm book translated into Japanese. I had entirely forgotten this was going to happen. Here. in celebration, is some of the opening sentence. I have long been proud of writing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 3 Comments

acid slug drool

Posted on July 19, 2004 by acb

There was a scare last weekend that gardeners would be prosecuted if slugs can be shown to feel pain. As far as most gardeners are concerned, the problem with slugs is that they don’t feel enough pain: compared to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 5 Comments

rubber-legged in anticipation

Posted on June 7, 2004 by acb

I’ve just been sent the programme for the Aventis bash next week. There is a photocall for the authors at five, and then a steady programme of refreshments until eight, when the prizes are announced. After that, they feed us. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 3 Comments

Shortlisted. Hot gerund damn!

Posted on May 11, 2004 by acb

I just saw in the Times that the worms have been shortlisted for the Aventis Science book prize. Francis Spufford got his book on the shortlist too. Can it be true, as he tells me, that you get £1000 just … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 2 Comments

Good news

Posted on April 18, 2004 by acb

I’ve only just discovered this, but the worm book has been long-listed for the Aventis Prize. It won’t win, of course, but it would be nice to make the shortlist alongside the likes of Dan Dennett, Matt Ridley, Francis Spufford … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 1 Comment

It’s out

Posted on October 10, 2003 by acb

And it’s beautiful. All you American readers, go and buy this book at once. Columbia University Press have done a wonderful job on the worm, including illustrations, which Simon and Schuster never bothered with in the English edition. This is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Worms | 4 Comments

They like me; they like me; they really really like me!

Posted on September 10, 2003 by acb

So to a worm party in Cambridge, where almost all the people I wrote about have gathered for a 25th anniversary bash. Sydney Brenner was there, and Sulston, of course, and Bob Waterston, Phil Anderson, Judith Kimble, John White. Some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | 1 Comment

What can we learn from the worm

Posted on April 16, 2003 by acb

I have just been filling out an incredibly long and detailed author questionnaire for Columbia University Press. One test was to provide half a dozen questions for journalists to ask who are too lazy busy to read the book. I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | Comments Off on What can we learn from the worm

good press

Posted on March 24, 2003 by acb

Just when I thought the worm book was over in this country, along comes a delicious review in the Sunday Times. And I caught three trout over the weekend, but that is a subject for a later entry. First to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Worms | Comments Off on good press