For this course the online notes will be adequate for most people. You may want to consult a text occasionally, or buy one. At this level Wikipedia is not good enough! There is really no perfect text for students, as most have too much detail to be used as anything but a reference; but as such, some are quite good. Comments are arranged here roughly in order of JJC's preference, which may not be yours. Don't get a book more than about 4 years old.
KUBY IMMUNOLOGY by Kindt, Osborne, and Goldsby. W. H. Freeman, New York, 2006. (Sixth edition). The current edition of the late Janice Kuby's book. This has long been the favorite of immunology graduate students —clearly written, experimentally based. Some differences now with 3 new authors, so check that you like it before you buy. 603 pp. $95.95.
IMMUNOBIOLOGY: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN HEALTH AND DISEASE, by Janeway and others. Garland, London, 2007. (Seventh edition). This book is well-illustrated, complete, and up-to-date. Too much to read, but a very useful reference—especially for basic immunology—that will remain current for a little while longer. 887 pp. plus CD-ROM. $95.95.
IMMUNITY, by DeFranco, Locksley, and Robertson, New Science Press, London, 2007. It's not easy to describe this book, which is the most up-to-date of them all, but also one of the most idiosyncratic books I've seen in a while; every subject is restricted to a 2-page spread. Detail rules here; if you like trees but don't care for forests, this could be your book. Currently $53.00.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, by Peter Parham. Garland, London & New York, 2005. (Second edition). A new edition that is pretty good. It is derived from the Janeway book, above; I guess it's “Immunobiology Lite”. Compare the two on a particular subject and see which you prefer. 431 pp. Weirdly costly at $82.00.
ESSENTIAL IMMUNOLOGY , by Roitt, Martin, Delves, and Burton. Blackwell, Oxford, 2006. (Eleventh edition). The 11 th has 2 new authors, and is overall a good and current book. Too much detail, and the organization is very different from that of our course. The humor is British. Reasonable basic/clinical balance; basic is better in Janeway, clinical is better in Roitt. 456 pp. and a Web site. $49.00.
The following are specialized references:
IMMUNOLOGY FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, by Roderick Nairn and Matthew Helbert. Mosby, Philadelphia, 2006 (Second edition). Probably not the book for graduate students, but of interest because Rod Nairn is our new UCD Provost. Cheap-ish at $50.00.
MANUAL OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Edited by Adelman, Casale and Corren. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2002 (Fourth edition). Not for beginners but this is the $50 book I wish I had when I was doing internal medicine. Glittering with clinical gems. Old now.
FUNDAMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Edited by Paul. Raven Press, New York, 2003 (Fifth edition). A multiauthor, 135 dollar book that is as good a single-volume reference as there was, especially for people planning a career in immunology, though it's aging now. 1500 pp. Comes with a CD-ROM which has all the text, plus hyperlinks.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, Edited by Rich, Fleisher, Shearer, Schroeder, Frew, Weyand. Mosby, Philadelphia, 2008 (Third edition). The reference for clinical immunology; 101 chapters, 1600+ pages. Of course it lists for $399.