Reviews
An excellent overview of what science knows about immunology today.
Written by a prominent researcher and scholar who not only followed the history of immunology but also participated in its creation, Immunity could be considered as an excellent summary of the classical, pre-systemic, immunological era.
It is well written, informative and gives detailed descriptions even down to defining platelets—sometimes we make the assumption that individuals know these details but the author has pre-empted this and provided ample explanations, which in essence will widen his audience... I would recommend this book to students, healthcare assistants, clinicians, and nurse specialists working within all areas.
[Immunity] is a remarkably clear, concise, well-written, and well-organized presentation of the components and interactions of the multiple parts of the immune system as it functions to protect the body from disease or foreign agents when functioning properly—or cause disease when malfunctioning... Written for the general public and for potential students of immunology, it could also serve as an accompanying text for any immunology course... Essential.
A treasure trove of information, this wonderful book should broadly appeal to anyone interested in human health and disease. There is no competing volume that covers such breadth of immunology at this personal level. A tour de force.
Dr. Paul has lived the modern history of basic and applied immunology. His warm, down-to-earth style and deep insight into biology lead the reader on a fascinating journey in understanding these diverse processes from the vantage point of a discovery scientist.
Immunity is at once an informative history of immunology with numerous personal asides and a brilliant introduction to the wonders of this key field of medical science. The novice can learn immunology from this book while the professional will appreciate Dr. Paul’s role in the history and enjoy his erudition and judgment.
Paul recounts in a clear fashion the ideas, experiments and insights that have led us to our present day understanding of immunity. Along the way we encounter new viruses, autoimmunity, and the latest insights in cancer immunotherapy.
Book Details
Preface
Part One
1. Defense and Danger
2. Tracing an Immune Response
3. The Laws of Immunology
4. Growing Up and Learning Immunology
Part Two
5. Vaccines and Serum Therapy
6. How Is Specificity Achieved?
7
Preface
Part One
1. Defense and Danger
2. Tracing an Immune Response
3. The Laws of Immunology
4. Growing Up and Learning Immunology
Part Two
5. Vaccines and Serum Therapy
6. How Is Specificity Achieved?
7. Immunology's "Eureka"
8. How Does Each Lymphocyte Develop a Distinct Receptor?
9. B Cells and T Cells Recognize Different Types of Antigens
10. My Foray into the Specificity Problem
11. Genes and Immune Responses
12. The Laboratory of Immunology and the T-Cell Receptor
Part Three
13. What Is Tolerance?
14. How Does Tolerance Develop?
15. Regulatory T Cells and the Prevention of Autoimmunity
Part Four
16. Different Structures, Different Functions
17. Specific Types of Infections, Specific Types of T-Cell Responses
18. Our Discovery of IL-4 and the Cells That Make It
19. CD8 T Cells
20. Dendritic Cells
Part Five
21. An "Ancient" Immune Response Controls" Modern" Immunity
22. The Microbiome and Innate Immunity
23. Evolution of the Immune System and Innate Lymphoid Cells
Part Six
24. The HIV Epidemic and the Office of AIDS Research
25. How the Immune System Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus
26. Allergy and Asthma
27. Interleukin-4 and Allergy
28. Can the Immune System Control Cancer?
29. New Parts for Old
30. Julien
Conclusion
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index