Williams (Univ. of Bristol, UK; Angel of Death, CH, Jan'11, 48-2719) presents a well-organized, carefully written narrative history of polio, from its first identification as a disease to its almost worldwide elimination resulting from the development and use of a very effective, safe vaccine. The story is not tied to the chronology; instead it follows the major advances, sidetracks, and setbacks in the stages of development and details the positive and negative contributions of the scientists and others involved. It is very informative in explaining how the individual scientists were either led or misled by their interpretation of their own experimental results. Williams makes clear to nonscientist readers that science does not progress from one positive result to another, and that the interpretations of results are highly influenced by the preformed prejudices of the involved scientist. This is particularly notable in terms of the time it took to recognize a virus as the causative agent of polio, even after the facts were established. This work can easily serve as a historical document, containing important dates, names, and contributions of key scientists, as well as numerous illustrations. Includes an extensive list of notes for each of the 13 chapters. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. R. S. Kowalczyk formerly, University of Michigan