Natural history of the major histocompatibility complex /

This tome could be as easily titled ``Everything You Could Possibly Wish to Know About the Major Histocompatibility Complex.'' The book represents a large undertaking by a major researcher in the field. It unfolds with a brief but thorough description of the discovery of those cell-surface proteins and the genes that encode them, which serve as determinants of ``self'' antigens, and thus subsequently define the ability and level of cell interactions in the immune response. Klein continues with a description of experimental techniques, followed by the role played by these antigens in various systems. References are extensive and recent (1985), and this reviewer also found the listing of the references as footnotes to be convenient. The text is a very readable presentation of the topic; tables are provided for more detailed information. Although the book is too detailed (and expensive) to be a useful undergraduate textbook, it should serve as an excellent sourcebook.-R. Adler, University of Michigan-Dearborn