The Logic of Immunity: Deciphering an Enigma

After reading several books in an effort to truly understand how the immune system works, I still had only a rudimentary and gap filled grasp on the complex topic. I was hoping this book would finally explain it in a way that would enable me to commit the information to my brain. This book did exactly that. Clear, well organized, and packed with helpful, easy to understand information, it’s just what I needed. Now when my older mom asks me how COVID-19 made so many people so sick, I can actually teach her the facts. If you want a comprehensive first lesson in immunology, this is your book.

Excellent book, especially for a person with a background in biology or taking a college immunology class. I wish I had this book when I took my first immunology class. The author clearly explains current knowledge, is very accurate and doesn't become enamored with speculations. Where our current knowledge is unclear, the book clearly states this before engaging in any form of hypothesising. I do worry this may be a bit hard to follow for a person without an above-average knowledge of biology. But I loved it, and I learned a lot. I do confess I share the author's love for immunology. It's a fascinatingly complex and amazing process. His love for the science clearly came through, as did his respect.

A 2024 book by a seasoned senior MIT/Harvard research teaching physician immunologist, this slim volume illuminates and clarifies the alphabet soup of clinical immunology. Too shallow for physician oncologists and immunologists, all other categories of doctors, nurses, lab technologists and therapists (physical and mental health) providers will likely grow intellectually and professionally by reading this book. It tells the story from the late 19th Century to the present, from Ehrlich and Menchikoff to the present day with clear and precise definitions of terms, traits and relationships of moieties participating in the intricate biological dance performing in the immune response in life and disease. It will complete and focus what is likely the fuzzy picture of this field which has so rapidly but critically emerged since the training each of us had on our way to becoming health care professionals.A retired neurologist

I loved this book. As a lay person, it was understandable and a joy to read. Stories from the author’s own experience and analogies to help clarify how the system works helped make a complex system more understandable.It left me with awe about how effective and intelligent our immune system is even as scientists are still learning about it.Some practical implications for lifestyle and vaccinations made it even more useful. Discussion of some illnesses that my friends and family have also brought new understanding.It’s great! Becky