First published 2021
Your throat tickles and your head aches as you prepare for another ordinary day. You feel mildly irritated by these small discomforts. But beneath your skin, millions of cellular defenders wage an epic battle for your survival. Philipp Dettmer, creator of the science YouTube channel Kurzgesagt, guides readers through the human body's most complex defense network. Your immune system rivals only the brain in its intricacy and stands as one of Earth's most ancient survival mechanisms. Without it, death would come within days. Dettmer explores this biological fortress through engaging chapters that cover antibodies, inflammation, bacteria, allergies, and cancer. He explains why immune system boosting claims are false, how parasites evade your defenses, how viruses operate, and what happens inside wounds. The book transforms immunology from a confusing medical subject into an accessible adventure through your body's alien landscape. Each page reveals the constant warfare that keeps you alive, complete with invasion strategies, defeats, and cellular sacrifice.
Genres: science, non-fiction, health, medicine, biology, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
341 pages · Hardcover · Random House