Why Aren’t We Dead Yet?

the survivor’s guide to the immune system
Idan Ben-Barak

'A terrific introduction to the complicated beast that keeps us alive.'

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

'This surprisingly ambitious, eminently accessible book brilliantly summarizes the essential features of the immune system for a lay audience. The quirky humour masks an underlying authority and competence. The work is right up to date, even incorporating recent Nobel Prize winning insights into the evolutionarily ancient innate immune system. It is a triumph of popular medical science.'

Sir Gustav Nossal

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'[F]riendly and engaging ... accessible to anyone who's curious about the mechanics of the human body.'

Thuy On, The Age

Disease — specifically infectious disease — is what eventually kills the overwhelming majority of us. In fact, it’s amazing that it doesn’t get us sooner: we fight off millions of disease-causing germs every day.

So how come we’re not dead yet? In this lively and accessible book, Idan Ben-Barak tells us why. He explores the immune system and what keeps it running, how germs are destroyed, and why we develop immunities to certain disease-causing agents. He also examines the role of antibiotics and vaccines, and looks at what the future holds for our collective chances of not being dead.

This is entertaining and thoughtful science writing to inspire the student interested in a career in medicine or immunology, or to inform the reader who just wants to understand more about their body while having a laugh along the way.

'A terrific introduction to the complicated beast that keeps us alive.'

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Sir Gustav Nossal

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 210mm × 135mm

Extent:224pp

ISBN (13):9781922247667

RRP:£12.99

Pub date:6 Nov 2014

Rights Held: World

Rights Sold: Germany (Ullstein), The Netherlands (De Arbeiderspers), India (HarperCollins), Russia (BKL), China (Chongqing University Press), Taiwan (Rye Field Publications)

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AWARDS

2015 The Bragg UNSW Press Prize for Science Writing - Short-listed

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AUTHOR

Idan Ben-Barak

Idan Ben-Barak holds a BSc in medical science and an MSc in microbiology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PhD in the history and philosophy of science at the University of Sydney. His first book, Small Wonders: how microbes rule our world was published by Scribe and translated into five languages. It won the 2010 American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru SB&F (Science Books and Films) Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Young Adult category. Idan’s new book is Why Aren’t We Dead Yet? the survivor’s guide to the immune system, published by Scribe. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children.