The Immune System, 4th Edition

(This is my second review of this book now that I have begun my third cover to cover reading. The level of detail on the molecular level is astounding and beautifully and lucidly explained. An example is cancer cells and CTLA4. The graphics are also superb. I now recommend this book even more highly! My Rioth Immunology isn't nearly as enjoyable to study.) The immune system is a favorite topic of mine. Almost everything which happens to our bodies involves the immune system. So I was very interested in a book which is on a very professional level with current information and excellent writing style. Also I feel that educational graphics are especially important to drive home the information. This book passed all my criteria with flying colors. I really enjoyed studying it and have now read it twice (there's way too much information there to absorb on just one reading!). Almost every process in the human body involves the immune system and learning to minimize inflammation is a huge leg up on feeling good! Everything from sore muscles and joints, strep throat, healing, migraine, every disease known to man, sunburn, and on and on involve inflammation. Learning the mechanisms of inflammation and immunity and how to quiet inflammation and bolster immunity REALLY adds to ones health. I highly recommend this superb book as a way to learn how to baby ones body!

This is a very good textbook. The publisher, Garland sciences, is one that I trust because they have always done a very good job with their science textbooks (check out Molecular Biology of the Cell, The Biology of Cancer, and others). Continuing along this trend, Peter Parham's book does not disappoint. The figures are cartoonish in most instances of course, much like the ones in MBOC and other Garland books, but they have to be that way and it does help very much with understanding; this is mixed appropriately with real histological cross sections and figures from the clinical setting to give a more realistic idea of what things look like. To a scientist who does/participates in research with a partial or minor immunological context, or needs to learn selected topics in immunology for future research, this text is the perfect companion. For a seasoned immunologist who does pure research in the field, a better choice would probably be the more detailed and in-depth Immunobiology by Janeway, from which Parham's text is adapted if I'm not mistaken.

Of all the textbooks I've purchased throughout my academic career, this is by-far the best. The illustrations are fundamental and provide such a detailed description that makes it easy to understand. My only criticism, if i had to give one, is that the book seems to be organized awkwardly. It will start off with a detailed summary of the chapter, but then breakdown each idea. It also does not give good "refresher" information. It had been awhile since my A&P course, so my knowledge of the immune system was lacking. The text seems to just jump right into the topic without a chapter that reminds you about things like the difference between CD4 and CD8 T Cells, what's the difference between a basophil and mast cell, etc. Other than that, this was my favorite text throughout my academic career.

Used book recently to update 46 year old medical education, so as to understand recent happenings in the medical journals, which may as well have been written in a foreign language. I worked my way through half the textbook, one page at a time, with resultant new clarity of understanding of most of the basic immunologic vocabulary and concepts, then got hung up and discouraged over way-too-much info about mucus to begin the 'gut immunology' section, an area in which I don't anyway have much interest. By that time, it is midway through 2018 for a book written in 2014 (albeit with a 2015 copyright). Book needs updating or a new edition badly; new information on CART RX; CRISPR DNA editing; the concept of dominant tolerance; biologic treatments based on IL-2 blockade, these latter therapies permeating the television ads sprayed upon us by Big Pharma; etc., etc., etc. I will read the new edition of Parham Immunology when and if it comes out, otherwise, Abbas and Co. , here I come, since Janeway way too complex and detailed, in my opinion, for a general introduction or beginner's Immunology textbook.

Great book for anybody studying Immunology! Has nice diagrams and explanations. Of course you can get the older versions and save money but still not bad for the price.

I had this for a class. I really enjoyed the class and found the book to be quite clear. The only bit I found confusing was how B cell and T cell development were in separate chapters but IRL they happen simultaneously and the class expected us to know that, so I had to flip back and forth while studying.

This book is the best among all books for immunology, my personal opinion of course. However, the diagrams and figures are so helpful. Break down the difficult concepts to understandable pieces and is very clear. Got the older version as well.

The book arrived in a physically good condition, but the writing in it is not great. Every single word in every written paragraph is highlighted, save for the occasional 'the' or 'therefore'. It is very difficult to read and see the paragraphs and section breaks.

Nice book. Easy to understand and very well structured. On certain topics I would have wished for more detail but I guess I will have to get a different book then. For the general understanding of basic Immunological processes linked with clinical symptoms it's great.

教科書なので評価が定まっていると大体のコンセンサスがある内容を伝えないといけない。でも臨床応用がかなり進んでいるガン免疫療法の内容（特に17章）がアップデートされていないのは残念。そここそ頑張って欲しかった。

Libro eccellente. Spiegazioni semplici ma molto dettagliate che permettono anche ad un non esperto nel settore di capire bene tutto. Lo consiglio!

I already knew it was a typical well produced American bioscience textbook because I have seen the previous editions. I am not competent to comment on the content, but it seems pretty good to me. I also happen to know it's the course textbook on immunology at Cardiff medical school, so the chances are it's pretty reliable. Beautifully produced figures, and the Kindle version works well even on the smallest (not e-ink, of course) colour Kindle, if you read in landscape mode.

Good book, seems like it's Janeway's but abridged. I have both.