[.ca] Fundamental Immunology (ISBN 0781765196)

It can be used as a dictionary.:
It is not recommended as a text book, but is as a dictionary. Because it contains many informations about immunology and few illastlations.

Fundamental, not necessarily introductory:
This book is in many rspects the Immunology equivalent of the G & G pharmacology bible. Or in other words: if you do Immunology for a living, this book should always be within reach. Just like G & G's book, Fundamental Immunology started out in the same way the "encyclopedia" started in the Age of Enlightment: a compendium of all the knowledge available. With the exponential expansion of both Pharmacology and Immunology, these disciplines no longer fit in one, ten, or even a hundred volumes each, and tough choices have to be made. In Paul's FI, these choices are very much geared towards the professional, and far less so to the student. Yet, many of the subjects are treated in a way that not only incorperates much of the up to date details, but also gives thorough treatment of the fundamental concepts behind them. Thus, this book should also be the text of choice for those students that have sufficient tutoring resources available to guide them through the maze of the wild and wonderful world of Immunology.

excellent:
the next best thing to actually following the literature. a great way to get a background in a less familiar topic.

Not the best book on the subject:
Overly complex in exposition. Insufficiently illustrated. Represents an NIH viewpoint, not the best in science. Does not relate the molecular details to the cellular interactions sufficiently.