Self Defence

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 ZOEDan 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 PeopleUtterly absorbing. Nearly every paragraph brings a revelation – BILL BRYSON, author of The BodyExpertly 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 CryptA 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 physicistProfessor 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 TimeA 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 ScoopAdmirably clear, readable and reliable. Davis writes with infectious enthusiasm about the beauty and complexity of human immunity – GAVIN FRANCIS, author of RecoveryAn 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 VaxxersThe 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 TransformerThere 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 DiagnosisA 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 BreathThis 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 WorksWellness 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 CenturyRead 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 ExercisedThe 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 GamesWe 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 UsA 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 ForeverIn 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 AllergicSelf 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 LifeWhy 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 AgelessA 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

Daniel M. Davis is Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. His previous books include The Beautiful Cure, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize, and The Secret Body, which was described variously as ‘an inspiration’ by Tim Spector, ‘beautifully rendered’ by Brian Cox and ‘masterful’ by Alice Roberts. Davis has published over 150 research papers and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. In 2025, he was awarded an MBE for services to science communication.