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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity Hardback - 1995

by William R. Clark

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Clark's highly accessible book takes readers on a fascinating tour through the immune system, examining the history of its discovery, the ways in which it protects humans, and how it may bring its full force to bear at the wrong time in the wrong place. 5 linecuts.

Reader reviews for At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

From the publisher

In the seventeenth century, smallpox reigned as the world's worst killer. Luck, more than anything else, decided who would live and who would die. That is, until Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, an English aristocrat, moved to Constantinople and noticed the Turkish practice of "ingrafting" or inoculation, which, she wrote, made "the small- pox...entirely harmless." Convinced by what she witnessed, she allowed her six-year-old son to be ingrafted, and the treatment was a complete success--the young Montagu enjoyed lifelong immunity from smallpox. Lady Montagu's discovery would, however, remain a quiet one; it would be almost 150 years before inoculation (in the more modern form of vaccination) would become widely accepted while the medical community struggled to understand the way our bodies defend themselves against disease.
William Clark's At War Within takes us on a fascinating tour through the immune system, examining the history of its discovery, the ways in which it protects us, and how it may bring its full force to bear at the wrong time or in the wrong place. Scientists have only gradually come to realize that this elegant defense system not only has the potential to help, as in the case of smallpox, but also the potential to do profound harm in health problems ranging from allergies to AIDS, and from organ transplants to cancer. Dr. Clark discusses the myriad of medical problems involving the immune system, and he systematically explains each one. For example, in both tuberculosis and AIDS, the underlying pathogens take up residence within the immune system itself, something Clark compares to having a prowler take up residence in your house, crawling around through the walls and ceilings while waiting to do you in. He discusses organ transplants, showing how the immune system can work far too well, and touching on the heated ethical debate over the use of both primate and human organs. He explores the mind's powerful ability to influence the performance of the immune system; and the speculation that women, because they have developed more powerful immune systems in connection with childbearing, are more prone than men to contract certain diseases such as lupus. In a fascinating chapter on AIDS, arguably the most deadly epidemic seen on Earth since the smallpox, Clark explains how the disease originated and the ways in which it operates. And, in each section, we learn about the most recent medical breakthroughs.
At first glance, it may appear that our immune system faces daunting odds; it must learn to successfully fend off, not thousands, but millions of different types of microbes. Fortunately, according to Clark, it would be almost impossible to imagine a more elegant strategy for our protection than the one chosen by our immune system, and his At War Within provides a thorough and engaging explanation of this most complex and delicately balanced mechanism.

Details

  • Title At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
  • Author William R. Clark
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition. F
  • Pages 288
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Oxford University Press, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 1995-11-30
  • Features Dust Cover
  • ISBN 9780195092868 / 0195092864
  • Weight 1.03 lbs (0.47 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.58 x 5.86 x 1.06 in (21.79 x 14.88 x 2.69 cm)
  • Category Science
  • Library of Congress subjects Immune system - Popular works, Immunologic diseases - Popular works
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 94045134
  • Dewey Decimal Code 616.079

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 12/01/1995, Page 594
  • Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/1995, Page 1465
  • Library Journal, 01/01/1996, Page 132
  • New York Times, 11/26/1995, Page 22

About the author

William R. Clark, an internationally recognized authority on cellular immune responses, has taught immunology at the University of California, Los Angeles for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of The Experimental Foundations of Modern Immunology.

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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

by Clark, William R.

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Oxford University Press, Incorporated. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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At War Within : The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

by William R. Clark

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At War Within : The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

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Oxford University Press, 1995. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,600grams, ISBN:9780195092868
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

by Clark, William R

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Oxford University Press, 1995-11-30. 1. hardcover. Used: Good. 8.58x1.06x5.86. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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by Clark, William R.

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Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A.: Oxford University Press, 1995. First Edition . Hardcover. Fine/Very Fine. Slightly smaller sturdy book, dark red cloth spine, dark blue boards, gilt lettering bright on spine, light separation between frontispiece and title page, 276 lightly browned pages. DJ shiny with microscopic color-photos, color illustrations on front and back. DJ and book, both Very Fine.
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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by Clark, William R

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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

by Clark, William R.

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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity
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At War Within: The Double-Edged Sword of Immunity

by Clark, William R

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