Daniel M. Davis is Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. His previous books include The Beautiful Cure- The New Science of Human Health, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2018, and The Secret Body- How the New Science of the Human Body Is Changing the Way We Live, which was described variously as 'an inspiration' by Tim Spector, 'beautifully rendered' by Brian Cox and 'masterful' by Alice Roberts. Davis's research, using super-resolution microscopy to study immune cell biology, was listed in Discover magazine as one of the Top 100 breakthroughs of the year. He has published over 150 academic research papers, including articles in Nature, Science, New Scientist and Scientific American.
The immune system holds the key to modern diseases and this great book from a world expert offers practical tips and dispels many myths on how best to enhance it -- TIM SPECTOR, author of Food For Life and co-founder of ZOE Dan 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 Defence 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 -- CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN, author of Ultra-Processed People Utterly absorbing. Nearly every paragraph brings a revelation -- BILL BRYSON, author of The Body Expertly cutting through all the myths, marketing hype and simple slogans, this is the best book on immune health I have ever read -- ALICE ROBERTS, author of Crypt A beautifully written overview of 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 obscures discussions about our health -- BRIAN COX, world-renowned physicist Professor Davis unravels one of the most complex and vital elements of human biology: our immune system. Disentangling the science of immunity and addressing the key questions we all want answered, this book is a masterclass in science communication and essential reading for anybody who wants to understand their health -- RUSSELL FOSTER, author of Life Time A fascinating guide to the immune system, cutting through the myths with clear, evidence-based science. Daniel M. Davis empowers readers to make informed choices about their health in a world of so much misinformation -- RHIANNON LAMBERT, author of The Science of Nutrition and co-host of The Wellbeing Scoop Admirably clear, readable and reliable. Davis writes with infectious enthusiasm about the beauty and complexity of human immunity -- GAVIN FRANCIS, author of Recovery 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! -- SARAH GILBERT, author of Vaxxers 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 -- NICK LANE, author of Transformer