Dr. Gavin Francis
"Admirably clear, readable, and reliable. Davis writes with infectious enthusiasm about the beauty and complexity of human immunity."
Russell Foster
This book is a masterclass in science communication. Davis unravels one of the most complex and vital elements of human biology, our immune system. Self-Defense disentangles the science of immunity and addresses some of the key questions we all want answered. Does orange juice really help us fight off colds, prevent us getting cancer, or combat HIV? Do increased infections in early childhood protect against allergies, and is it true that children who grow up on farms are less likely to have asthma and hay fever? How might our genes or gut bacteria alter our vulnerability to infection? What is the link between obesity, stress, and sleep with our ability to fight infection? And does our immune system affect our mental health and the aging process? This is essential reading for anybody who wants to understand their health.
Henry Marsh
"One of the best accounts I have yet come across of the nature of biological science and discovery."
Martin Rees
"We all retain some traditional beliefs about what lifestyles and everyday remedies are good for us; this clearly written book by a distinguished expert tells us which ideas are grounded in science, and which are not. An enjoyable read with messages that can improve our health."
Brian Cox
A beautifully written overview of the current state of the art in our understanding our immune system. But perhaps even more importantly, this book is an instruction manual which guides the reader through the blizzard of popular science and pseudoscience that inevitably obscures informed discussions about our health.
on "The Beautiful Cure" The Wall Street Journal
Davis conveys a visceral appreciation for how messy, and how human, medical science can be.
Alice Roberts
"Expertly cutting through all the myths, marketing hype, and simple slogans, this is the best book on immune health I have ever read."
James Nestor
"A clear-eyed, myth-busting manual to managing immune health. I learned a lot about what I was doing wrong for so long—and how to set it right."
Bill Bryson
"Utterly absorbing. Nearly every paragraph brings a revelation."
Guy Leschziner
"A masterful exploration of what we know (and don’t know) about the workings of this most crucial of bodily functions. In a world of sales patter, soundbites, and social media videos, scientific rigor, clarity, and nuance is much needed. Self-Defense provides precisely that. Davis dissects claims and widely held beliefs surrounding the workings of our immune system, and shines a light on what is myth, hype, uncertainty, and scientific truth."
Philip Ball
"This is the clearest, most authoritative, and most honest guide I have seen to the kinds of questions about our health and our immunity that we encounter all the time. What is the best diet? Does exercise help? What does our microbiome really do? Is good sleep so important? With patience, humility, humanity, and generosity, Davis provides a primer on immunity that should be on everyone’s bookshelf."
Daniel Lieberman
"'Read this book! Your immune system is notoriously confusing yet vital and thus worth understanding. Fortunately, this succinct, clear, insightful, and fascinating book from one of the world’s experts on immunology will answer your most important questions about how best to help your body defend itself and stay healthy."
John Tregoning
"A brilliantly crafted immunization against the fads, fixes, and fraudsters that seek to improve our immune health. Davis draws on the past, present, and future of immunology to inform and explain what we can and importantly cannot do."
on "The Beautiful Cure" The New York Review of Books
Refreshingly sober. . . . Intelligent and insightful.
Dr. Jenna Macciochi
"A thought-provoking, insightful guide to the immune system's vital role in protecting our bodies and minds. With clarity and precision, Davis explores how we can harness this incredible system to stay well in our ever-evolving world. A must-read for anyone looking to empower themselves with the science of staying well."
Suzanne O’Sullivan
"There is so much misinformation in the health and science arena that it can be really challenging to pick the truth out of all that fiction. Self-Defense is a perfect antidote to so many of those assumed truths about immune health that have gone unchallenged for way too long. It is a refreshing, expert examination of health myths, beautifully written, packed with science but always accessible. I learned a lot."
Marcus du Sautoy
The body is hugely complicated: you need a book, not a slogan, to unravel what helps keep it healthy. Fortunately, Davis has written an excellent guide to navigate you through the minefield of theories and speculations about what might boost our immune system. The answer is not easy, which is why you want an expert like Davis as your pilot through this difficult terrain.
Nick Lane
"The ultimate self-help book—genuinely one of the most worthwhile books I've ever read. Davis is a captivating and authoritative guide, addressing many seemingly simple questions about our immune health, from vitamins to vaccines, from stress to the microbiome. We learn how to learn about the only thing in the universe that’s arguably more complex than the human brain."
Gaia Vince
"Wellness gets the expert treatment as Davis filters out the bullshit/hype and hearsay in a clarifying sweep to reveal the fascinating complexity around how our body maintains health, and how we can help it."
Rhiannon Lambert
A fascinating guide to the immune system, cutting through the myths with clear, evidence-based science. Davis empowers readers to make informed choices about their health in a world of so much misinformation.
Stephen Fry
"As David Attenborough opens our goggling eyes to the natural world without, so Davis brings us face to face with the stunningly clever and, yes, beautiful world within. . . . One of those books that makes you look at everything human in a new, challenging, and thrilling way."
Theresa MacPhail
"In Self-Defense, immunologist Davis explains everything that we know about our immune systems with clear, concise, and engaging stories based in the latest science, not hype. So, if you're tired of all the people trying to sell you things that they swear will improve your immune function, but then never do, this book is for you. Davis walks us through the often complicated answers to all our questions and shows us that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to immune health."
Roger Highfield
Self-Defense: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health uncovers how curiosity-driven science can help you truly understand and optimize your immune system—free from hype, misconceptions, and the traps of mistaking coincidence for causation. From the surprising links between cytokines and mood to the effects of stress on immunity, this book reveals how our biology shapes us in unexpected ways. With stories like how a glowing jellyfish transformed medical research, it shows how simple discoveries can lead to profound insights. Dive in to see how thoughtful, evidence-based exploration can lead to better health, resilience, and self-awareness.
Tim Spector
"The immune system holds the key to modern diseases—everyone should know more about it—and this great book from a world expert offers practical tips and dispels many myths on how best to enhance it."
Sarah Gilbert
"An engaging and thorough look at the factors affecting our immune health. If you've ever been tempted to take steps to 'boost your immunity,' read this first!"
Chris van Tulleken
"Davis is a world-class scientist and one of the best science communicators of his generation. From the role of tobacco scientists in promoting stress to why astronauts take antihistamines, Self-Defense will answer every question you have about your immune system and many more. It is deeply absorbing, wise, and beautifully written. Packed with astounding science, compelling stories, and ideas, it will change the way you think about your body and live your life."
Andrew Steele
"Why does weight-loss drug Ozempic reduce dementia risk, and what’s the connection between the bacteria living in your gut and risk of allergies? The answer—as in so many parts of biology—is the immune system. Self-Defense takes us on a fascinating tour of our bodies, linking happenings inside our cells to everyday practical advice, and dealing with pervasive myths about vitamins, inflammation, and more along the way. This book will do more for your health than any bottle of vitamin C tablets!"
