Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease [With CD]

This book by Charlie Janeway is considered to be one of the best books for entry level students. His colleagues say Dr. Janeway cherished every moment that he spent in shaping this book since he took utmost joy in teaching and training students. Eventhough he is no more physically, his book will be read and remembered by almost every student in Immunology. The treatment of subject, arrangement of topics and the figures in this book are at the very best. I am sure that readers will be able to absorb the basic principles in a systematic way with sound experimental insights which will be with them forever. You also have the advantage of seeing the immune system as a friend as well as a foe. This book beautifully explains how immune system protects us from infections as well as creates major health problems when it doesn't work properly. This way of learning Immunology helps you learn the subject with big picture in mind. I strongly recommend this book for every student who takes introductory or intermediate level course in Immunology. After all, Immunology is one of the most fascinating scientific disciplines to work on.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I'm a graduate student in Microbiology and Immunology, but my undergraduate major was in biochemistry. Having had NO immunology classes before, I felt myself beginning to drown in my first graduate immunology class... I knew I needed help (there was no textbook for this lecture-only class), and went searching. This is the book I eventually bought. It saved me, big time! In plain language, and with easy-to-follow pictures throughout, this book literally taught me all about immunology--it is the reason I passed my classes; NOT sitting stunned in some lecture hall listening to some guy drone. It took some work, and I had to read the book almost front-to-back, but it is a WONDERFUL text.This book is not really a graduate caliber text, however. For specific and more technical aspects, books like the one by Paul are going to be the ticket. But even now, when looking to brush up on my basics, design pictures for a lecture, etc. I refer back to this book first. Only 3 years old, my copy is dog-eared, worn, and well-used. I often end up with classmates and professors asking to use it, too.If you find yourself desperate and failing in an immunology class, BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT. If you are taking any immunology text, and your prof has chosen a really cruddy book you are having difficulty understanding, do the same. If you're a professor trying to teach an immunology class, USE THIS BOOK. Make life a whole lot easier on your students--and you, when grading and evaluations time comes around!

Janeway and his co-authors have prepared a masterful text with remarkably clear exposition of the myriad of details in this rapidly developing field. It is replete with illustrations, including cartoon-like diagrams, histological slides, and tables, each of which are used to illuminate the discussion as deemed helpful by the authors. They present an incredible amount of information, and the text, reflecting recent revision, is remarkably current. This volume is suitable as a text for a course in immunology for medical students, or as an introduction to the subject for graduate students requiring knowledge of the immune system. It is perhaps advanced for most undergraduate courses, although the text is sufficiently clear that undergraduates can comprehend the material. It is primarily a question of whether the undergraduate reader has received sufficient foundation in cell and molecular biology to possess the presumed foundational knowledge. This is no "brief" overview. It is stuffed with detail giving students a thorough foundation in this fascinating field. A real tour de force.

I really recommend this as an essential book for anyone studying immunologyin detail.- Its also a very useful reference for anyone studying medicine and wanting togo into more depth..Immunology at the best of times can be a difficult subject to grasp, both in terms of conceptsand details. Thank heavens for Janeway and Travers 5e which explains this challenging subjectin a simple way, without compromising on accuracy. What brings this book apart from the field is its emphasis on fundamental principles: It defines these at the beginning of each chapter before delving into detail later on. Another great feature of its organisation is they way it draws parallels and connections between different aspects of the subject, helping the reader to gain an integrated and wider understanding of the subject. For example consider the unique way in which it compares and contrasts B and T cell development and functioning.Information is also very accessible, since there are small subheadings for each topic, combined with a very useful cross-referencing, though index and glossary. Plus its packed to the brim with useful colour diagrams which help to reinforce and add to points made in the text. Since it is written by recognised experts in the field, information is up to date and accurate, and it clearly differentiates between accepted `facts' and theories.In summary; after leaving many lectures bemused, bored and confused it's comforting to know that I can always turn to this book for guidance.

Janeway's Immunobiology is probably the best immunology book that someone really interested in immunology should take to the mythical desert island. One can enjoy it by its clarity from the basic graduate courses, and then keep reading it when doing research and pursuing hypothesis on the most advanced immunological topics. Many times I have found better organized and complete information on this book (even the old editions!) than on the latest reviews on specialized journals. The intense and careful work displayed to promote the real understanding on the concepts and the relations between immune components is impressive. Even more, the success in explanation is such that the authour takes the risk to have his book neglected as "too easy" by first time readers. However, immunology researchers in contact with the often chaotic and contradictory immunological literature can really appreciate the incredible amount of critical work invested and the intellectual gift of the author (authors) to abstract complex immune phenomena into nicely designed and biologically precise "cartoons". The focus on the evolutionary and functional consequences/origins of the immune mechanisms and structures makes Janeway's book one of the most refreshing and valuable voices in a sometimes too-technically oriented discipline. An impressive accomplishment never praised enough.