The Angel and the Assassin
The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine
A thrilling story of scientific detective work and medical potential that illuminates the newly understood role of microglia—an elusive type of brain cell that is vitally relevant to our everyday lives.
“The rarest of books: a combination of page-turning discovery and remarkably readable science journalism.”—Mark Hyman, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY WIRED
Until recently, microglia were thought to be helpful but rather boring: housekeeper cells in the brain. But a recent groundbreaking discovery has revealed that they connect our physical and mental health in surprising ways. When triggered—and anything that stirs up the immune system in the body can activate microglia, including chronic stressors, trauma, and…
Donna Jackson Nakazawa is the author of three previous books exploring the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and emotion: Childhood Disrupted, which was a finalist for the 2016 Books for a Better Life award, The Last Best Cure, and The Autoimmune Epidemic. For her written contributions to the field of immunity, she has received the AESKU award and the National Health Information Award, which recognizes the nation’s best magazine articles on health. Jackson Nakazawa’s work has appeared in Wired, Stat, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Health Affairs, Aeon, Parenting, AARP Magazine, and Glamour, and has been featured on the cover of Parade as well as in Time. She has appeared on Today, NPR, NBC News, and ABC News, and has been the recipient of writing-in-residence fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Yaddo, and…
The Angel and the Assassin
Donna Jackson Nakazawa