- Published: 6 August 2024
- ISBN: 9781802062830
- Imprint: Penguin Press
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 368
- RRP: $24.99
Allergic
How Our Immune System Reacts to a Changing World

















- Published: 6 August 2024
- ISBN: 9781802062830
- Imprint: Penguin Press
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 368
- RRP: $24.99
Allergic is the definitive biography of allergies. This accessible, comprehensive and troubling portrait should be read by all who suffer and those who care about them, which, as MacPhail so carefully documents, is such an astounding number that it includes almost all of us
Michael Moss, author of SALT SUGAR FAT and HOOKED
A fascinating account that most of us (sniffle sniffle) will find of compelling interest, and also a powerful reminder that what we do to the world around us eventually affects the world inside us
Bill McKibben
Allergic is just the sort of thoughtful, comprehensible and comprehensive book we urgently need to understand how rapidly changing modern environments are interacting with our ancient immune systems to cause a frightening explosion in allergies
Daniel Lieberman
An astute, empathetic, and wonderfully informative investigation. Theresa MacPhail makes a persuasive case that cooperation-with each other, and with our internal ecosystems-is the key to relief
Michelle Nijhuis, author of BELOVED BEASTS: FIGHTING FOR LIFE IN AN AGE OF EXTINCTION
Comprehensively researched, deftly told, and radiating both intellect and passion, Allergic is essential reading for anyone interested in our bodies and our world. I am grateful to have this book to share with my allergy patients
Kari Nadeau, Director of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University
Brilliantly comprehensive and highly readable... The first ever book to track both the history of allergies and the state of modern allergy science
Rebecca Seal, Observer
An exhaustive exploration of the science of allergies
New Statesman
Important and deeply researched... MacPhail's compassionate insights into the problem make for engrossing reading
John J. Ross, Wall Street Journal
MacPhail's passion for her subject is evident as she brings to life and personalises a phenomenally complex field
Simon Ings, Sunday Times
In Allergic MacPhail seeks to understand the effect allergies have on us individually and socially, as well as to explore the latest ideas for treatments and therapies… MacPhail does a marvellous job of conveying that complexity to the general reader
the TLS