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An Elegant Defense
An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives | Matt Richtel
14 posts | 11 read | 11 to read
A magnificently reported and soulfully crafted exploration of the human immune systemthe 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 Prizewinning 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
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Twainy
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Pickpick

I loved most of this book! Sadly what I didn‘t love were the personal stories & I imagine this is the lure?

I preferred the fun science! Should you eat your boogers? It was packed with information about microbiome, stress, sleep, laughter, wound healing etc

I‘d like to get a copy of the hardcover & audiobook!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

21 likes1 stack add
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GoneFishing

The likelihood of getting cancer depends in large part on how often a person experiences injury or certain types of injury. This is just math. More injury means more cell division and, simply, more opportunity for dangerous mutation to occur.

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Beatlefan129
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I won this ARC from a #GoodreadsGiveaway. I can‘t wait to read it, looks quite interesting

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LauraJ
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Pickpick

Most of the material in this book is review for me, so the audiobook was fine. A hard copy should be easier to follow for those with less familiarity, as it hopefully includes graphics to summarize more complex concepts. Would have preferred more science and less storytelling. #FIL adequate sleep and stress reduction are still the best things to keep our immune systems functioning smoothly. Good luck with that. 😉 #nfnov

rsteve388 9 pts 5y
43 likes1 comment
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LauraJ
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Jumping into #nfnov with this one!

rsteve388 Score 1pt! 5y
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violabrain
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Mehso-so

A science writer Matt Richtel is not. I have a scientific background and I found many of his descriptions hard to follow (even for concepts I am already well-versed in). He also continually apologizes for how difficult different aspects of immunology are to understand, but then doesn‘t explain them. He definitely needed a better editor. I don‘t feel like he really understands a lot of what he wrote about. Disappointing.

violabrain Also, I feel like part of the job of science writing for the general public is to allow the reader to experience the excitement of discovery through a description of relevant experiments. More often than not, he essentially says, “This is too complicated to explain. Suffice it to say, this is what they found,” and so the reader doesn‘t really grasp the significance or excitement of the discovery. 5y
7 likes1 comment
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Sumi
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Currently reading.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Great book about how your immune system works. I learned a lot! However, I would have loved a data table that summarized the cells and molecules so I could keep them straight:) The sections on HIV, fever, wounds, and cancer were well done.

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InnerSavvy
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Pickpick

A great book to understand immunology and the history of discoveries and umadcancements in immunology. Makes understanding our immune system easier. Recommend reading.

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BeththeBookDragon
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Should you?

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Jdroper
Pickpick

I worried this might be hard to read - I was so wrong. I couldn‘t put it down. Blending the personal stories with the science kept it riveting. Fascinating. Who doesn‘t know someone affected by autoimmune disease? Read this book!

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jillrhudy
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Pickpick

This was quite good. The myriad parts of the immune system are over my head, but I learned a lot about immunology, medical wonders and general well-being. #medicine #immunity #arc #earlyreaders

Aimeesue My immune system sucks. It attacked my pancreas, with no provocation whatsoever! I‘m still not very happy about that. 6y
Aimeesue The book sounds very interesting though! 6y
Crazeedi Stacking!! 6y
19 likes3 comments
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SheReadsAndWrites
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Just reading with a 130 pound dog sitting on my lap. 🤣❤️🐶 #happiness #dogmom

AllieLovesBooks This is one of the best parts of life! Dog on your lap and book in your hand! 6y
kspenmoll 😂😂 6y
46 likes1 stack add3 comments
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jillrhudy
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Just got this #arc thanks HarperCollins! #medicine #immunity #science #health #wellness

Aimeesue Oooooh! Science!❤️ 6y
jb72 That‘s looks very interesting. I‘ve added it to my TBR. 6y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments