Immune: A Journey into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive

Pop science writer Dettmer (creator of the popular YouTube channel Kurzgesagt [“in a nutshell”]) has written a volume explaining human immunity, which works on an extremely complex multi-systemic, even multi-cellular and micro-cellular level. This book makes the topic comprehensible with informal language and metaphors that compare scientific processes to everyday life. Dettmer covers types of cells, cell intelligence, receptors, antigens, T cells, antibodies, infections, vaccines, and ways to boost immunity. The book is heavily illustrated with vivid, full-color images that demystify bacteria, pathogens, and viruses (coronaviruses, influenza, Ebola). Dettmer is always engaging as he explains viral infections and DNA molecules in accessible terms for people of all ages (especially YA readers) and those new to popular science.