I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Immunity by William E. Paul Published by Johns Hopkins University Press on October 1st 2015
Pages: 280
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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This significant book conveys Dr. William E. Paul’s enduring enthusiasm for the field of immunology, the incredible accomplishments of the past half-century, and the future’s untapped promises.
The immune system has incredible power to protect us from the ravages of infection by killing disease-causing microbes or eliminating them from the body. Boosted by vaccines, it can protect us individually and as a "herd" from diseases such as measles. As Dr. Paul explains, however, the power of the immune system is a double-edged sword: an overactive immune system can wreak havoc, destroying normal tissue and causing diseases such as type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The consequences of an impaired immune system, on the other hand, are all too evident in the clinical agonies of AIDS and other immunodeficiency diseases.
Packed with illustrations, stories from Dr. Paul’s distinguished career, and compelling narratives of scientific discovery, Immunity presents the three laws of the human immune system—universality, tolerance, and appropriateness—and explains how the system protects and harms us. From the tale of how smallpox was overcome to the lessons of the Ebola epidemic to the utility of vaccines and the hope that the immune system can be used to treat or prevent cancer, Dr. Paul argues that we must position ourselves to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and promising new tools in immunological research, including big data and the microbiome.
I was expecting something very different from Immunity. Instead of an autobiography concerning the life and career of one of the world’s most eminent immunologist, I got a mix of dry textbook and autobiography. I don’t know if I consider this a good or bad thing, but I definitely think this book is written for a specific audience and it’s not the lay man.
William E Paul, a prominent member at the National Institute of Health has written plenty of academic texts on immunology, held roles as president of American Association of Immunologists and the American Society for Clinical Investigation, a director of NIH’s AIDs research division and has been an editor of the Annual Review of Immunology volumes 1 through 30. It’s not surprising that during his career he has met plenty of medical rock stars and contributed heavily in modern immunology research. I can’t imagine a better person to write an novel on immunity geared towards doctors without a PhD in Immunology.
The main focus of Immunity seems to be on basics of the human immune system, leaps in immunology research both past and present and the changing environment of immunology in the face of funding changes throughout the decades:
The success rate (the number of grant applications funded divided by the number submitted) has dropped from 30 percent in 2003 to 19 percent in 2012. Effectively that means that many talented individuals, particularly younger scientists, will fail to obtain research support and may leave science, cutting off a future generation.
Immunity took me a few months to read, often with breaks between chapters because I required plenty of research on the basics of Immunology before I could continue. Unfortunately, while William Paul attempts to explain the basics of the study of human immunity, I found it difficult to understand some of the more technical discussions without scouring the internet for discussions on items such as T Cells, cytokines, Th2 and lymphocytes. I particularly enjoyed the small section on jawless vertebrates and adaptive immune systems. I actually learned plenty of really fantastic information that may even lead to a deer understanding of other scientific literature.
Fortunately, thanks to William E Paul, I understand quite a bit more about the human immune system and medical science as a whole since reading this autobiography/textbook. I discovered new knowledge, researched new material and learned plenty about the ever changing medical research environment.
Do I recommend Immunity? Of course, but only to those wanting an intense read that often requires time for thought. Immunity is not an armchair read. It is not meant to be devoured in one sitting or a few, but in long months of reflection and self-education. Well, that is unless you are already a medical student or immunologist!
This book would appeal to readers who are already well educated in medical terminology, lovers of medical science or those who are interested in a very dense novel. I wouldn’t suggest this book if you want something basic or instructive on the very basics of immunology. A definite page turner with history, personal anecdotes and plenty of science to keep a reader happy.
About William E. Paul
William E. Paul, MD, is the chief of the Laboratory of Immunology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. He received his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He is a past president of the American Association of Immunologists and the American Society for Clinical Investigation, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
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