by Matt Richtel
First published 2019
Matt Richtel examines the human immune system through cutting-edge science and four personal stories. A terminal cancer patient survives against all odds. A person with HIV experiences an unexpected medical outcome. Two women battle autoimmune conditions where their bodies attack themselves. Richtel traces scientific discovery from the Black Plague through modern vaccination breakthroughs to today's immunology laboratories. He explains how T cells and natural killer cells patrol our bodies through an instantaneous communication network. The system evolved over millennia to fight countless threats, yet modern life weakens it through stress, fatigue, toxins, poor nutrition, and excessive cleanliness. The same system that protects us can turn destructive, causing autoimmune disorders at epidemic levels. Richtel connects historical medical detective work to current cancer immunotherapy and microbiome research. His reporting reveals how new treatments change millions of lives while operating on a delicate balance. The book makes complex immunology accessible by weaving together scientific interviews with intimate human experiences that illuminate our biological defense network.
Genres: science, medical, non-fiction, health, history-of-medicine, biology, academic, history-of-science
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: medical-drama, scientific-discovery
425 pages · Hardcover · Mariner Books