Immune Health

As renowned immunologist Davis argues, the immune system is extremely complicated and widely misunderstood … [Self Defence] offers an illuminating picture of a fascinating area of science * Daily Mail, Best Health Books of 2025 *
Self Defence ... bridge[s] the gap between the scientific research of [Davis'] day job and what people want to know about immunity .. The immune system can be hard to unravel ... Daniel M. Davis follows the twists and turns of the evidence and offers nuanced responses to immune health questions ... Above all, his friendly tone and clear writing give the reader a much deeper appreciation of the complexity of the human body * Times Literary Supplement *
Top immunologist Daniel M. Davis separates fact from fiction in this insightful guide * Woman's Weekly *
Treads familiar questions with exceptional sharpness … The book succeeds in inoculating the reader against easy health answers, headlines, and platitudes * Science *
Eradicate[s] long-held myths and replace[s] them with wonder at the complexity of the body’s defence system * New Scientist *
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
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
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 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
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
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
Admirably clear, readable and reliable. Davis writes with infectious enthusiasm about the beauty and complexity of human immunity -- GAVIN FRANCIS, author of Recovery
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
This is the clearest, most authoritative and most honest guide I have seen to the kinds of questions about our health and our immunity that we encounter all the time. What is the best diet? Does exercise help? What does our microbiome really do? Is good sleep so important? With patience, humility, humanity and generosity, Dan Davis provides a primer on immunity that should be on everyone’s bookshelf -- PHILIP BALL, author of How Life Works
There is so much misinformation in the health and science arena that it can be really challenging to pick the truth out of all that fiction. Self Defence is a perfect antidote to so many of those assumed truths about immune health that have gone unchallenged for way too long. It is a refreshing, expert examination of health myths, beautifully written, packed with science but always accessible. I learned a lot -- SUZANNE O'SULLIVAN, author of The Age of Diagnosis
A clear-eyed, myth-busting manual to managing immune health. I learned a lot about what I was doing wrong for so long – and how to set it right -- JAMES NESTOR, author of Breath
Wellness gets the expert treatment as Davis filters out the bullshit/hype and hearsay in a clarifying sweep to reveal the fascinating complexity around how our body maintains health, and how we can help it -- GAIA VINCE, author of Nomad Century
Read this book! Your immune system is notoriously confusing yet vital and thus worth understanding. Fortunately, this succinct, clear, insightful and fascinating book from one of the world’s experts on immunology will answer your most important questions about how best to help your body defend itself and stay healthy -- DANIEL LIEBERMAN, author of Exercised
The body is complicated: you need a book, not a slogan, to unravel what helps keep it healthy. Fortunately, Davis has written an excellent and expert guide to navigate us through the minefield of theories and speculations about what might boost our immune system -- MARCUS DU SAUTOY, author of Around the World in 80 Games
We all retain some traditional beliefs about what lifestyles and everyday remedies are good for us; this clearly written book by a distinguished expert tells us which ideas are grounded in science, and which are not. An enjoyable read with messages that can improve our health -- MARTIN REES, author of If Science Is To Save Us
A brilliantly crafted immunisation against the fads, fixes and fraudsters that seek to improve our immune health. Davis draws on the past, present and future of immunology to inform and explain what we can and importantly cannot do. Ultimately what he shows is that the immune system is wondrously complex and that simple soundbites, however persuasive, will have little real impact -- JOHN TREGONING, author of Live Forever
In Self Defence, immunologist Dan Davis explains everything that we know about our immune systems with clear, concise and engaging stories based in the latest science, not hype. So, if you're tired of all the people trying to sell you things that they swear will improve your immune function, but then never do, this book is for you. Dan walks us through the often complicated answers to all our questions and shows us that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to immune health -- THERESA MACPHAIL, author of Allergic
Self Defence uncovers how science can help us truly understand and optimise our immune system - free from hype and misconceptions... Dive in to see how thoughtful, evidence-based exploration can lead to better health, resilience and self-awareness -- ROGER HIGHFIELD, Science Director, Science Museum and co-author of The Dance of Life
Why does weight-loss drug Ozempic reduce dementia risk, and what’s the connection between the bacteria living in your gut and risk of allergies? The answer - as in so many parts of biology - is the immune system. Self Defence takes us on a fascinating tour of our bodies, linking happenings inside our cells to everyday practical advice, and dealing with pervasive myths about vitamins, inflammation and more along the way. This book will do more for your health than any bottle of vitamin C tablets! -- ANDREW STEELE, author of Ageless
A masterful exploration of what we know (and don’t know) about the workings of this most crucial of bodily functions. In a world of sales patter, soundbites and social media videos, scientific rigour, clarity and nuance is much needed. Self Defence provides precisely that. Davis dissects claims and widely held beliefs surrounding the workings of our immune system, and shines a light on what is myth, hype, uncertainty, and scientific truth -- GUY LESCHZINER, author of Seven Deadly Sins
Dan Davis' Self-Defence is a thought-provoking, insightful guide to the immune system's vital role inprotecting our bodies and minds. With clarity and precision, Davis provides a compelling exploration of how we can harness this incredible system to stay well in our ever-evolving world. A must-read for anyone looking to empower themselves with the science of staying well -- JENNA MACCIOCHI, author of Immunity
Davis’ work shines a light on how immunology can influence our health, demystify the science behind many diet and lifestyle claims, and helps his audiences understand just how complex our biological systems really are * British Society for Immunology *
For each topic, Davis presents a story of twisting lanes driving readers towards actionable ways to optimise health * Commentary *