Immune

Written by Philipp Dettmer, the mastermind behind the wildly popular science YouTube channel, KURZGESAGT - IN A NUTSHELL, Immune is a fully illustrated deep dive into the human immune system that will transform how you perceive your body forever.

The immune system is one of the most complex and essential components of the human body. In Immune, Dettmer takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey through the body's defences, revealing an epic battlefield that is constantly active beneath your skin. You'll uncover the amazing and covert operations that keep you alive and well, from the relentless assaults by pathogens to the heroics of your body's own soldiers.

Picture this: You wake up one morning with a slight tickle in your throat and a mild headache. While you go about your day, an immense and intricate war is raging inside you, where millions of cells fight and die to keep you healthy. It's this fascinating, unseen war that Dettmer elucidates with gripping detail, pulling back the curtain on a world most of us never truly understand.

Our immune system is second only to the brain in its complexity and is vital for our survival. Without it, you would succumb to infection in mere days. Immune explores how this incredible system identifies and eliminates threats like bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and parasites. Dettmer dissects these processes with precision, covering elements like antibodies, inflammation, and allergies. He even challenges popular myths about "boosting" the immune system and explains the intricate dance between our bodies and invading parasites.

One of the unique aspects of this book is its captivating, full-colour graphics that make learning about immunology not just informative but enjoyable. Dettmer's engaging descriptions transform one of the most confusing subjects into a gripping narrative, making concepts accessible and understandable for all readers.

Dettmer doesn't shy away from contemporary issues either. The book delves into how viruses, including the coronavirus, function and how they interact with our immune defences. It also explores what happens at the microscopic level when you get a wound and why allergic reactions occur.

Enlivened by vibrant graphics and immersive explanations, Immune is more than just a book - it's an adventure through an astonishing alien landscape that resides within each of us. It challenges preconceived notions about health and the body's defences, revealing the immune system as not just a defender but possibly a source of future health challenges.

Immune is a vital, fun, and remarkably insightful crash course into what is arguably the most important system in our bodies. It's a must-read for anyone keen on understanding how we stay alive and healthy in a world teeming with invisible threats.

'Fast-paced and full of wonder... Dettmer's book is the feast we've been waiting for.' SCIENCE

'Reads as if it's a riveting sci-fi novel... a delightful treat for the curious' TIM URBAN, creator of Wait But Why

'A truly brilliant introduction to the human body's vast system for fighting infections and other threats'

JOHN GREEN, bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars