About the Author

Dr. Theresa MacPhail is a medical anthropologist, former journalist, and associate professor of science and technology studies who researches and writes about global health, biomedicine, and disease. She holds PhDs from the University of California - Berkeley and University of California San Francisco.

Reviews

Brilliantly comprehensive and highly readable... The first ever book to track both the history of allergies and the state of modern allergy science
*Observer*

MacPhail's passion for her subject is evident as she brings to life and personalises a phenomenally complex field
*Sunday Times*

Important and deeply researched... MacPhail's compassionate insights into the problem make for engrossing reading
*Wall Street Journal*

An exhaustive exploration of the science of allergies
*New Statesman*

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 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*

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*

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*