A magnificently reported and soulfully crafted exploration of the human being immune system-the key to health and fitness, life and death. An epic, first-of-its-kind book, entwining leading-edge scientific discovery with the romantic stories of four specific lives, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Occasions journalist.

“An Elegant Protection by Matt Richtel is one of those rare non-fiction books that transcends the genre. On one level it really is a fascinating and engrossing account of the most recent, and about An Elegant Defense: The Incredible New Science from the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives quite astonishing, discoveries involving the individual immune system and how it works. But it is also a tale about people facing mortality, about the enthusiasm of scientists searching for truth, and a yoga on death and exactly how most of us struggle with the ultimate secret. Heartfelt and shifting, full of compassion, love, as well as the human being drama, this is actually the work of a author of high moral character who’s grappling with big problems and deep humanistic problems. What an inspiring and wonderful go through. I recommend this amazing book.” -DOUGLAS PRESTON, #1 bestselling writer of The Lost Town of the Monkey God