[Brewerton] skillfully guides us through the complexities of bacteria, viruses, and host defense; the nervous system; the structure and function of joints; the mosaic of factors involved in arthritis; and the prospects for new forms of therapy. He is particularly elegant when dealing with the complex (and controversial) influence of personality and emotion.

This book...is written so attractively and with such a sense of wonder and delight at the challenges [of ] arthritic conditions.

[This] is a thoroughly good read putting much current research and concept into perspective and supplying many of the facts which even the most assiduous of rheumatologists may have failed to grasp...The immense factual load of the book is disguised in a style of story-telling which focuses, to a great extent, on some truly remarkable individuals...The reader is left in no doubt that research in arthritis is feverishly active and fascinating.