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An Elegant Defense

The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives

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A magnificently reported and soulfully crafted exploration of the human immune system–the key to health and wellness, life and death. An epic, first-of-its-kind book, entwining leading-edge scientific discovery with the intimate stories of four individual lives, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times journalist.

“An Elegant Defense by Matt Richtel is one of those rare nonfiction books that transcends the genre. On one level it is a fascinating and engrossing account of the latest, and quite astonishing, discoveries involving the human immune system and how it works. But it is also a story about people facing mortality, about the passion of scientists searching for truth, and a meditation on death and how all of us struggle with the ultimate mystery. Heartfelt and moving, full of compassion, love, and the human drama, this is the work of a writer of high ethical character who is grappling with big issues and deep humanistic problems. What an inspiring and wonderful read. I highly recommend this extraordinary book.” —DOUGLAS PRESTON, #1 bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God

 Biological Sciences Biology Contagious Diseases History History & Philosophy Physical Illness & Disease Science Heartfelt Medicine Health Immune System Science
All stars
Most relevant
I highly recommend this book. It was written pre covid and this makes it even more relevant today.

Supurb book.

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So profound, touching and full of essential knowledge. Very grateful to have found this. Take a bow Matt Richtel

Absolutely outstanding

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This is a clear and well-written book exploring the immune system through the stories of several people, including a dear friend of the author. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of the human interest backstory to this extent, and worse, didn’t warm to the friend at all. I was expecting something a little more in-depth so it’s not the book for me and I will return it. However, I think it is a good book of its kind.

The reader is very good.

Not what I expected

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