What the Body Knows
A Guide to the New Science of Our Immune System
Published on 10. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-300-28688-5 (ISBN)
Description
A leading scientist's guide to the way our immune system protects us-but only most of the time
What is our immune system, and how does it work? A vast array of cells, proteins and chemicals spring into action whenever our bodies are damaged, but immunity is not something you can see, touch, or feel. It can fight off malicious bacteria and viruses, locate cancerous growths, and even rewire our brains-but sometimes our own tissues can get caught in its crossfire, with catastrophic consequences.
Humans may be the most disease-ridden animals on the planet. John Trowsdale shows how the immune system protects us, and how our bodies invest huge resources to keep it running. Immunity influences how we age and controls how we learn to fight off recurring diseases, and how our bodies respond to chronic conditions such as heart disease and dementia. But, in the case of allergies and autoimmune conditions, it can also easily get things wrong.
What the Body Knows is a hugely readable account of a fascinating phenomenon-one which, for good or for ill, impacts every aspect of our lives.
What is our immune system, and how does it work? A vast array of cells, proteins and chemicals spring into action whenever our bodies are damaged, but immunity is not something you can see, touch, or feel. It can fight off malicious bacteria and viruses, locate cancerous growths, and even rewire our brains-but sometimes our own tissues can get caught in its crossfire, with catastrophic consequences.
Humans may be the most disease-ridden animals on the planet. John Trowsdale shows how the immune system protects us, and how our bodies invest huge resources to keep it running. Immunity influences how we age and controls how we learn to fight off recurring diseases, and how our bodies respond to chronic conditions such as heart disease and dementia. But, in the case of allergies and autoimmune conditions, it can also easily get things wrong.
What the Body Knows is a hugely readable account of a fascinating phenomenon-one which, for good or for ill, impacts every aspect of our lives.
Reviews / Votes
"Trowsdale gets down to the nuts and bolts, explaining how our immune system protects us, what keeps it running effectively, how it influences the process of aging, and how it learns how to fight off recurring disease."-SHA Magazine"Thought-provoking, packed with colourful anecdotes-not just the obvious medical school stuff. A pleasure to read."-Danny Altmann, professor of immunology, Imperial College London
"A fascinating book that explores the latest research on the body's defence system in a clear and entertaining way. It is full to the brim with insights about this very important but often overlooked part of the human body."-Jonathan Kennedy, author of Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History
"Packed with fascinating scientific tidbits and accessible to the curious of all walks of life, this delightful book takes the reader on a guided tour through the wonderland of our immune system."-Mary Carrington, senior principal scientist, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
"John Trowsdale draws on-and skilfully connects-so many rich and varied sources from his experience at the top of this field. The book is not only fascinating to read but also fun."-Paul Klenerman, Sidney Truelove Professor of Gastroenterology, University of Oxford
"It gave me great personal pleasure to read this new book by John Trowsdale, which makes the science of immunity so accessible to lay people, in an elegant and incisive way."-Michal Schwartz, professor of neuroimmunology, Weizmann Institute of Science
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
322 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-28688-5 (9780300286885)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
John Trowsdale is emeritus professor at the University of Cambridge, where he was head of the Immunology Division, teaching students about immunity for over twenty years. Previously a researcher at Cancer Research UK, his work has been influential in understanding the genetics of immunity.