The title of this unusual book is somewhat misleading but it is the sub-title that gives us the clues as to what it is about, which is a series of essays on some 20th century discoveries in parasitology and related fields as seen through the eyes of those involved and interpreted by the author. The idea for this book came about when the author began to wonder how and why scientists, in particular parasitologists, were drawn into the subject, what factors influenced their particular interests and how they came to be doing what they did. The first part of the book, about a third, the Prologue, is based on interviews with 18 scientists, and the second part, which continues the interviews, discusses a number of topics linked, directly and loosely, with the discoveries made by these scientists. The interviews appear to have been very relaxed and those interviewed were probed about their backgrounds and what led to their discoveries particularly the role of serendipity. It would be invidious to mention particular individuals except to say that about a third serve or have served on the Editorial Board of Parasitology and that clues about who they are can be obtained from the eclectic nature of the topics discussed in the 15 chapters that constitute the second part of the book: African trypanosomes and VSGs, malaria parasites, Toxoplasma gondii and related coccidians, schistosomes, hookworms, trichinosis and Trichinella spp., geohelminths, Dendrocoelium dendriticum and Halipegus occidualis, Pseudodiplorchis americanus, Ivermectin, quinine, epidemiological theory, phylogenetics, HIV-AIDS and yellow fever vaccines and Lyme disease.

One might argue about the selection of individuals interviewed and the discoveries with which they were involved, as one might argue about the selection of a world football or cricket team, but the important point is that this book provides a snapshot of parasitological research in the 20th century. Taken as a whole, it makes fascinating reading and, in many places, is a real eye-opener and brings to life lots of the things that parasitologists have speculated and gossiped about. It is not only the 18 individuals who feature in this book that provide interest but also others mentioned in passing, and how the same names and institutions come up time and time again reflecting a community of scholars and scholarship uniting the whole field of parasitology. Established parasitologists will be fascinated by what inspired their friends and colleagues and younger scientists should take note of how their ideas came about and were developed. One wonders, however, if in the future discoveries such as the ones described here will be made by individuals now that large teams looking at closely focused problems and directed research are the norm and new entrants into the field might envy the freedom that their supervisors and teachers had when they were younger.

What role did serendipity play in the discoveries described? Possibly a bit but the overwhelming theme that comes over is the ability of the various scientists to see a problem, to seize the opportunity to pursue it doggedly; this is inspiration backed up by application and enthusiasm not serendipity sensu strictu. One striking observation is how often the Ph.D. investigations undertaken by the scientists interviewed were apparently trivial and unrelated to the discoveries they made later, but nevertheless provided the first rung on the ladder of successful and productive careers. In his book Advice to a Young Scientist, Peter Medawar wrote ‘After graduate students have taken their Ph.D.s, they must on no account continue with their Ph.D. work for the remainder of their lives … ’ and there must be a lesson here for all aspiring parasitologists.

A book of this kind is bound to have omissions and errors and the latter can be put down to the fact that ‘ ;… old men forget … ’ as Shakespeare wrote in Henry V, oversimplification or errors that, like parasites, creep in when no one is looking. However, these enhance the book rather than condemn it and the observant reader will have endless and harmless fun looking for ‘errors’ in fact or interpretation; this itself is part of the fun of science. And science can be fun as these essays show. It has been my privilege to know many of the people listed and I have enjoyed reading about them and discovering things I didn't know. It has been a most enjoyable read and if you are thinking about a Christmas present for a parasitological friend, colleague or relative, look no further but read this book yourself first, you won't be disappointed.