我们为什么还没有死掉—免疫系统漫游指南

by Idan Ben-Barak, 傅贺 (Translator)

正版授权 卖家 : Boolee
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书名:我们为什么还没有死掉——免疫系统漫游指南
简介:【樊登/罗辑思维力荐！】一本书了解免疫系统，活着本身便是奇迹。未来的抗药性之战应该怎么打？
作者:作者 [澳] 伊丹·本-巴拉克（Idan Ben-Barak），译者 傅贺
出版社:重庆大学出版社
出版时间:2019年11月原版书名:Why Aren’t We Dead Yet? The curious person’s guide to the immune system
装订方式:平装-胶订
分类:科普读物|人类故事

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Health

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2014

About the author

I write science books, usually for children; they've been translated into about twenty languages and won some awards.
I live in Melbourne, Australia with my family. Sometimes, after they go to bed, I play my guitar a little.
I have degrees in microbiology and in the history and philosophy of science, a diploma in library studies, and a day job that has very little to do with any of the above.
You can also find me on Facebook (too often for my own good), my blog (occasionally) and Twitter (rarely).

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An accesible and lively book, in which Idan Ben-Barak explores our immune system, how it functions and how it has evolved during the ages. I particularly liked the accessibility, his writing style and therefore it can function as a good introduction to the immune system, for anyone who wants to know more about it.

[Tonstant Weader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone had told me I would be laughing over antibodies and the immune system, I would have rolled my eyes, but it’s true. I challenge anyone to read Why Aren’t We Dead Yet? and not laugh at least once. Twice I had to read parts to a friend of mine just because it was so fun to read. Why Aren’t We Dead Yet? is an introduction to the immunology for nonscientists.

Idan Ben-Barak is a microbiologist and children’s author which makes a perfect combination for writing books that are easy to understand. That is essential from a topic as complex as our immune system that works with pretty much every system, even possibly our brains. Wow!

The book is organized into five chapters. The first is about the encounter when bacteria or virus meets the immune system and the various strategies both sides take in the battle. Then he covers how our immune system develops, a form or learning. Then he talks about the evolutionary process of both armies developing their strategies and armaments. It’s clear there will be no cease-fire. The history of research into immunology which leads into some of the new things like immune therapies and of all things “plantibodies.” Really, they are injecting antibodies into fused spleen and stem cells that can be put in chickens for eggs that deliver antibodies or into plants which is where the “plantibodies” come from. Who knows? Someday there might be anti-cancer veggies that are not over-hyped.

I loved this book. Ben-Barak assumes the reader starts with no knowledge of the immune system but does not make the further assumption that we’re ignorant. He explains in simple terms but without condescension. He adds liberal doses of humor, often self-deprecating. He writes with an unusual kindness that makes me think he is a kind person, one who would be a lovely dinner guest. If he’s ever in Portland, I will bake him some krumkake.

I fell a little bit in love with Ben-Barak while reading the introduction. He wrote "this book is not going to make your health choices more informed, your diet more sustaining, your hair more luxuriously radiant..." and I just sighed with happiness. I can't stand the over-promising self-help books that promise to fix my life. Like Ben-Barak, I am allergic to useful information. When he talks about boosting the immune system and questioning whether that's such a good idea since overactive immune systems can be a problem. Over and over, the good sense of the author was a comfort to this person who is allergic to self-help. 

I learned a lot from this book. When I finish this review I am going to research more about Ipilimumab so I can forward it to a friend. I look forward to plantibody brussels sprouts someday.

I received a copy ofWhy Aren’t We Dead Yet? from the publisher, Scribe Publications..

Why Aren’t We Dead Yet? at Scribe Publications
Idan Ben-Barak author site


★★★★★
Science that made me laugh
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...

[Arun Divakar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why aren’t we dead yet ? - while you can cite a hundred thousand reasons as to why not, the focus here narrows down just to diseases through microbes or pathogens. Why are we really still alive in a world teeming with microbes, some of which are incredibly lethal to us ? Before we look for a book length answer to this question, it would be worthwhile to take a moment to appreciate how your internal body mechanics have been tirelessly working to keep you breathing. The immune system and its capabilities is something we take for granted. There is not much thought given to this factor much like the function of your ears, eyes and motor functions (unless you are an immunologist, an immunobiologist or a doctor in which case it becomes part of your job). The earlier question about our being still alive is explained in book length detail here.

If this book is any indication then immunology is quite a vast and incredibly complex subject. You can easily summarize the functioning of the immune system in human beings as a being an impregnable fortress against the never-ending onslaught of pathogens but answers to questions about the impregnability of the system and nuances of it are filled with jargon. If you had even an inkling of how mind-bogglingly intricate the efforts of this system is, you would certainly have a newfound respect for your health and wellbeing.

The advantage that the author has is that he is able to break down his subject matter into very accessible language and terms. Even if you are someone (like me) whose only medical acquaintance is with a doctor when you fall sick, there is enough material here to act as direction boards that help you get acquainted with human immunity. Some of the recent developments in the field of immune research, the history of immunology are all topics that get covered in concise detail in the span of a few chapters.

A witty and accessible overview of the immune system. There was nothing ground breaking or perspective shifting that I found and yet it gave a fuller understanding of immunity as a topic. Recommended !

[Jyotirmoy Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to this year's book fair on the last day, and as it was the closing day, the guy gave me this book for just Rs 20. Who would have thought that we would be facing a big crisis, and the book lying in the corner with dust all over would become of such relevance, at least to me. The author is a very engaging writer, presenting the difficult concepts of immunology with such ease. But more than he is very funny, I couldn't imagine I would be laughing while reading a book about antibodies.

[Rupinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great ideas. I really liked the style of humor. The author is really good at explaining very intricate concepts of immunology, which is a tall order. However, I feel that the author didn't take the time to flesh them out. I could see hints of beautiful writing much like Alan Lightman and Richard Dawkins; however, the concepts were not developed to reveal their beauty.

The writing felt a bit hurried, and it felt like a whistlestop tour of the great ideas of immunology. The book seemed like a trailer for a magnificent movie.

[Timo K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr interessantes Buch, vor allem auch in der aktuellen Zeit! Teilweise ein wenig schwieriger zu lesen, wenn man nicht im bio-medizinischen Umfeld unterwegs ist auf Grund vieler Fachwörter. Man kommt aber gut rein und die Erklärungen sind super. Lediglich die Anmerkungen wären meiner Meinung nach als Fußnote besser platziert (statt hinten im Buch).

[Tsoy Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Отличное введение в иммунологию. Единственный минус - язык книги. Мы не настолько знакомы (может к середине книги и будем, но не так сразу же), чтобы чересчур дружественный тон и "веселые" шуточки (в том числе и в примечаниях) доставляли удовольствие. Если привыкнуть к тону книги, то к содержание приятное - коротко и по дел

[Kandachamy Vijayakumaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never had a faintest idea that reading immunology can be this much fun. It is an extremely readable book on an extremely complicated subject. Idan deserves more than a mere congratulation! Every live human being has the right to know why they are alive. This book, sure, is the right source of that knowledge.

[Samantha Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book highly accessible and informative with some humour. Brilliant.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I great book which is easy to follow and supplies hilarious footnotes. Can’t tell you how many times I laughted reading it. Definitely would recommend to a friend!!

[Kendra Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a science enthusiast with a love of microbiology and immunology, I found this book a lot of fun! I think that if I was not versed in the subject it might have been a bit tough to get through, but Idan Ben-Barak does try to do a fair job of explaining as he goes. I really wish I had been able to use this as a supplement to the the micro/immuno coursework I took, it would have helped to keep things a bit lively.
My full review can be found on page at my homepage at AiPT!: http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/...

[Sanjay Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disease - especially infectious disease -eventually kills the overwhelming majority of human beings. It is amazing that we fight off millions of disease-causing germs every day and do not die sooner.

To explain this, the author, a micro-biologist, tries to explain in layperson's terms, the immune system and what keeps it running, how germs are destroyed and why we develop immunity to certain disease-causing agents. The role of vaccines and antibiotics is also examined as also what the future holds.

Well-written and can be understood by a layperson but for a few sections in between.

[Vivek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important yet complex topic it is, but having read it in simple language, I found the main points could be kept in my head and jotted down quickly.

That is no menial thing to achieve but possible when one is not concerned with terminologies or acronyms and conflicting theories.

From me: 5 stars. Easy and fun to read, while dropping many aha/wow facts and possibilities which makes one zone out and wonder while reading.

[Eli M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book and for my taste amazingly written, sometimes you have to push yourself to finish reading it. But at the end you are going to be proud of yourself and fascinated of the new information you just learned. Not too long or short, a good book when you are going outside.
3.9/5

[Hussein Hafez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit hard to follow at times (jargon flying at you from every angle). Got to read slowly. Otherwise fasicnating introduction to the world of imunology.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk boek, alleen niet erg toegankelijk voor een leek. Veel vaktermen die in rap tempo worden uitgelegd maar niet blijven hangen of herhaald worden.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts are boring but I really enjoyed the last chapters.

[Mao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and fun read about immunology

[Hanna Yost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible, smart, and funny.

[Egor Reznichenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an intriguing process of reading. The immune system turned to be a really complicated but truly miraculous phenomenon. And the author made the reading a genuine pleasure.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lee Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

第二本有关免疫书，这样的书完全属于只麟片爪，完全不能与免疫学专业教材比。好的地方在于篇幅少，还很有意思的。

[Jef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Er valt veel te vertellen over immunologie, maar het boekje blijft nogal oppervlakkig.

[Scribe Publications]

This surprisingly ambitious, eminently accessible book brilliantly summarises 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, Former Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Children’s Vaccine Program

An accessible account of a complex and important topic.
Prof. Peter C.Doherty, Nobel Prize Winner

… dotted with pub-worthy facts (two to four pounds of human body weight is made up of microbes) and playful footnotes that make for an accessible and amusing look at the hidden world of ubiquitous microscopic creatures like bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. Woven into the humor is a bona fide crash course in parasitology, microbiology, and gene transfer …
Seed

I enjoyed this lighthearted insider’s guide to germs… I’d love to shrink down to microscopic size to see some of the odd lifeforms described in this book.
boingboing.net

A terrific introduction to the complicated beast that keeps us alive.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Author of Great Mythconceptions

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

The book is hilarious in a science-nerd kind of way, and the personal notations and anecdotes from Ben-Barak put a real human touch on information that can sometimes come off as clinical and complex.
Adventures in Poor Taste

I loved this book. Ben-Barak assumes the reader starts with no knowledge of the immune system but does not make the further assumption that we’re ignorant. He explains in simple terms but without condescension. He adds liberal doses of humour, often self-deprecating. He writes with an unusual kindness that makes me think he is a kind person, one who would be a lovely dinner guest.
Tonstant Weader Reviews

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to know more - really understand what your immune system does, why, and just how complex a system it is? This is a great book to explain all that. The author tries valiantly to make it as simple as possible, using humorous analogies. Despite his best efforts, you realise after a few chapters that the immune system really is complex, the subject matter is dense, and it's going to take you a lot longer to get through this tome than you ever expected.

Suggest you get the book out on a long loan from the library - or even better, buy your own copy - and work your way through it slowly.

Postscript: I've purchased my own copy.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book because I've studied a bit about the immune system as part of Biology course that I did for my HSC. I think this book really brings this slightly complex concept down to earth and makes it a fun read.

[Sian Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the approach this book took to explain the immune system. It was fun and accessible but without loosing the science. Even with all that, I still found it slog to make it through. I did enjoy it but not sure I'd read it again.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was interesting and fun to read as there was not much technical terms. The book cover a wide array of topics regarding the immune system. Some of which I found a little too brief. Overall, it was an interesting book.

[astrid]

Besides 2 sexist comments - one of them coming from the inner child of the author, rather than the scientist he should be in this book - it is a very good book to start learning about the immune system if you are not looking for all scientific details, but are looking for a general overview. :)

[天上大风 · Rating 5 out of 5]

从组成、发育、演化、研究历史和前沿问题几方面介绍了免疫系统。演化一章最有意思。介绍无脊椎动物、微生物的免疫系统，微生物CRISPR的免疫系统也是有记忆的，（且最近研究发现疫苗也可增强先天性免疫），所以目前将有记忆、特异性划为适应性免疫可能是存在问题的，先天性免疫有待进一步研究。通过介绍自身免疫性疾病的蠕虫疗法引出危险模型，相比自我非我模型，前者确实更切合我们与肠道菌群、外界微生物微妙平衡的实际生活。随着对黏膜免疫系统的深入研究，我们应该能在这两种模型中作出更准确的判断。