Product Description
Could an alien organism really survive a centuries-long trip on a meteor and remain virulent enough to attack a human being? How would a scientist know she was peering at a microbe from another planet? What's the possibility of a genetically mutated monster actually developing?

In a gripping exploration of the facts behind the science fiction that has enthralled millions of X-philes, Anne Simon -- the respected virologist who comes up with the science for many intriguing episodes -- discusses telomeres, cloning, the Hayflick limit, nanotechnology, endosymbionts, lentiviruses, and other strange phenomena that have challenged the intellect and threatened the lives and sanity of America's favorite FBI agents. With Simon's extraordinary gift for explaining complicated, cutting-edge science in a light, accessible style, and her behind-the-scenes commentary on the development of various plot lines, The Real Science Behind the X-Files will appeal to science buffs and X-Files aficionados alike.

Amazon.com Review
In The X-Files episode "The Erlenmeyer Flask," FBI agent Dana Scully shows some bacteria to microbiologist Anne Carpenter, who pronounces them extraterrestrial: containing different DNA nucleotides than those found in Earthly organisms. But like the hapless redshirts of Star Trek, scientists who uncover extraterrestrial evidence have shortened life expectancies. Indeed, Carpenter is soon snuffed out in a highly suspicious car crash. But the real scientist on whom she was based, University of Massachusetts virologist Anne Simon, remained as scientific advisor to the popular program: she is the "X-Pert."

In her book, Simon describes the scientific basis of various X-Files episodes, and writes about some of her behind-the-scenes work putting the Scully into Scully. Sometimes it gets a little difficult to keep track of when Simon is describing an episode and when she's talking about cutting-edge science, but that's part of her point: "The life of a research scientist is filled with mysteries as complex as any that appear on The X-Files. We are Scullys." Simon knows that this show, for all its paranormal apparatus, gives a taste of the thrill of real science, enough to be inspiring a new generation to follow in Scully's footsteps. --Mary Ellen Curtin

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 14 reviews)

A witty and intelligent guide

Simon writes wittily and intelligently about a number of subjects, all of which have been dramatized on the hugely popular television show "The X-Files." There have been other books about the show, episode guides and the like, but for my money this book is best.
September 22, 2006

Dummies Guide to Science

I bought this as a bargain book but it is worth the full price! The author writes in a knowledgeable yet humourous style which makes absorption of the subject matter easy for non-scientists, and less than 40 pages into an information packed book I have learned such a lot already. I rated it 4 star because I would have liked to see a glossary at the back and colour photographs would have made a very interesting book moreso. For example, what do the sea slugs that prefer to try to eat each other before taking the alternative option of having sex look like? Other reviews here tell you that the book is based on science fact and fiction touched upon in the X-Files so I don't need to go there. Read it, learn, and laugh. There is nothing funnier than real life.
March 30, 2006

Simply Wonderful !

I love the X files and I'm a mixture of Mulder and Scully with regard to their beliefs. But after reading this book, I think I have become a scully!This book is so lucid and simple in its explanation of certain "paranormal" phenomenon. The author does a wondeful job combining biology and humour to explain to the lay person that not all things are paranormal and that if you do a little scientific research most of the things out there will make sense. All my knowledge on DNA, chromosomes, cancer comes from this book !Though she herself admits that not everything you see on the X files can be explained by science, most of the things that happen on a macro scale in the X files happen on a micro scale in real life. Genetic mutation is a reality, a virus surviving an cosmic travel is plausible, and so on. Finally, for those of you who are deceived by books written by the layperson/idiots/quacks, read this book and you will become fascinated as to what science has to offer.
April 24, 2005

For the Scientist and Non-Scientist

I came upon this book at the house of a friend and couldn't put it down.

It is a wonderful read and, to a non-scientist, an entertaining and clear look at some of the scientific mysteries of the universe.

This is a perfect book for a graduation present and for anyone with an interest in brain-sucking worms, aliens and mutating organisms. I recommend it highly.
September 24, 2000

Way More Entertaining than a normal biology textbook...

Sexual tension aside, the coolest thing about this show seems to be the questions it poses about nature and science as we know it. And being a molecular biology student, I always get a kick out of shooting down the supposed theories that the show's characters spout out. It's hard sometimes to figure out if Chris Carter and the powers that be are really serious about certain phenomenons/ideas. This book clears it up nicely. Dr. Simon is completely knowledgeable about these topics and presents the information with much more gusto than your typical molecular biology textbook. I'd rather be tested on her book come final exams, but such is life! :)
September 19, 2000

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The Science of the X-Files (The X-Files)
by Jeanne Cavelos

The Philosophy of The X-Files (The Philosophy of Popular Culture)
by Dean A. Kowalski

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books
by Jeanne Cavelos

X Marks the Spot: On Location With The X-Files
by Louisa Gradnitzer, Todd Pittson

Deny All Knowledge: Reading the X-Files (The Television Series)
by David Lavery, Angela Hague, Marla Cartwright