The Egg and Sperm Race: discover the Human Body

Balkwill and Rolph did a wonderful job with their books on cells and DNA - explaining the virtually inexplicable in a quartet of handy-sized unconventional-looking volumes. Now, at twice the size and four times the formal-ness, comes a magnum opus answering the basic question 'What makes a body?'

The dauntless duo start with evolution, on to the egg and sperm bit, through cell differentiation, DNA, chromosomes, tissue structure, specialised organs, genetics and so to social evolution. It's a tall order but the expedient of using plain language and familiar examples to explain strange facts and situations cannot be bettered, and when we have this principle embodied in a book whose text and pictures show every sign of having developed together, then success ought to follow. I think it does, not least because Balkwill and Rolph consistently respect their subject and their reader - and as these two happen to be the same thing, a happy rapport results.