Cellular and Molecular Immunology

This is a very comprehensive presentation of the immune system. It covers it in a most up to date manner for example including the most recent studies on CAR-T cells and PD-1 inhibitors. It covers each of the immune elements in detail and that includes the innate and adaptive system. Specifically: 1. The discussion of T helper cells is complete with an excellent summary and detail on each of its elements. 2. The CTL are covered in equal detail and these are critical in the understanding of current immunotherapy. 3. The complement system is covered but here I would have liked to see it more on a stand alone basis. The complement system gets limited coverage but recent work in AMD for adults seems to give it some potential. 4. Immunotherapy in a broader sense is covered but not in detail. For example there is limited inclusion of dendritic cell therapy for prostate cancer. It is not clear what this is used for, since it is so encyclopedic. I have considered it akin to a "shop manual" for immunology. It has every part and piece and it details what part is connected to what other part. However, the Immune System is a system and this system view is lacking. To understand immune system failures one must understand the basic dynamics of the immune system. This book detailed every piece and part but lacks leaving the reader with an overall system view. One can walk away with encyclopedic knowledge but not necessarily with a visceral understanding of the workings. Not withstanding my critique, this is clearly the standard for such presentation. However the Kuby Immunology series does add a dimension which is missing, namely the laboratory efforts involved in understanding where and how many of these facts were determined. I have used the Kuby books from the first addition forward and they are an excellent complement to this work. Also I have found the book by How the Immune System Works (The How it Works Series) is an excellent "road map" and system oriented book than can be used in conjunction with this one. Overall this book focuses primarily on the immune system elements. However there are many underlying genetic pathways that play a significant role and these are not considered in any detail. For example, the impact on the NF-kB pathway is significant as a promoter of cytokine production. I would assume that one should be aware of its function and impact. Overall this book is essential to have for anyone trying to do work in the current state of immunology. It provides the details and foundational elements that are invaluable. From this book one can jump quickly to the current literature.

So the material may be better cemented into my brain, I purchased the 9th edition and have begun reading it just after having completed reading the 8th edition. I bought the print book because reading about biology is just easier using a real book. The print edition comes with the full book in electronic form. Having both the print version and the electronic version is incredibly useful. For serious and un-distracted reading, the print edition cannot be beat. For review, searches, and reading while away from your "real" book, the electronic version is invaluable. I am also thankful that on the electronic version, we can highlight text and copy it. This makes creating flashcards and taking notes faster and easier. The content is detailed and clear. The recommendations for further reading at the end of each chapter are useful. This is my favorite immunology text book by far.

This is a concise and detailed current view of the immune system. Compared to other books on immunology, I found this one very good in presentation. The diagrams in the book are a bit weak, but the text itself is quite good. Very detailed. A personal thing: I'm not a fan of "connect-the-dots" books, e.g. reading something and then being told that "we will discuss this later in chapter X" or "...details to be provided later". That's really my only criticism.

Typically you would expect a textbook to be cover to cover with facts.... dull boring facts. But this one is different. It was more like reading the story of how we heal ourselves and how it can all go haywire. A masterful presentation of the material that was as enjoyable as it was informative. I recommend it highly to anyone at any level.

I initially want to have the 8th edition of this book, and I found that there is a newest version as the 9th edition. I have compared this one with the last edition, and found that this new version really covers some intriguing and state-of-art concepts like immunotherapy for cancer (second generation CART, PD-L1), although the length is limited. Some of the basic concepts have been either rewritten or modified to match the main flow of immunological findings. It is a good book but only if you have a basic understanding of how immunity works. Otherwise, pls start with the guiding book like "how the immune system works" contributed by Sompayrac

My book came in just a few days from ordering. I want to go back to my college days where we took an upper division immunology class and refresh. I wanted a textbook. I like that it is a paperback book, brand new and wrapped well. The textbooks in a college bookstore are a lot more expensive. There was quite a selection on Amazon.

Useful pictures. I would like to read more about immunological aspects of various diseases and more about clinical trials. Highly recommended book.

Abbas is the Best immunology text on the market -- excellent in all categories! Excellent text and excellent pictures to help understand the complex world of immunology. Great for beginning and advanced immunology students and colleagues that want to read the latest additions to the field.