Good to read if you want to know. 
Thorn in the Starfish is a great book to read if you are interested in finding out about how the immune system works. It is unlike other Desowitz books by explaining how a system works, rather than presenting information in a fun to read manner. It still includes the fun stories about how different aspects of the immune system were discovered. The book does a remarkable job at explaining the immune system to people with some knowledge, and for people with no knowledge of how it works beforehand. He runs through the different types of cells, what they do and how they work with each other. He covers what you want to know about the immune system so that you know what happens when you get sick. However, if you have a deeper understanding of immunology, if maybe best if you find a good textbook, because this book covers most of the basic information, that one wants to know, and does not go too deep into the issues. If you want to read this book just because it is by Robert Desowitz, be warned, that though it is a good book, it is not like the other books that he has written. It is still enjoyable but in an educational sort of way. Otherwise, it is well worth reading.
January 08, 1998
| |
