I actually read this book as a result of an interview on NPR with the author about his new book (next on my read list) "A Planet of Viruses". Went to Amazon and noticed this, one of his earlier works, was recommended, so ordered both.

Many of the African hunters we have should read it IMO. It is not difficult to read, but not written for elementary school level readers either (that takes out many in the PF ).

At any rate, it is full of yuck stuff from the trypanosomes of the tsetse fly to plasmodiums of malaria and many more.

I found some of the background information to be fascinating and totally new to me. "According to one estimate, parasites may outnumber free-living species four to one. In other words, the study of life is, for the most part parasitology."

It's a good read for those with inquiring minds.