It was not until 1975 that indigenous malaria was finally eradicated from Europe and, as Bruce-Chwatt and de Zulueta so masterfully describe, it had a long and complicated history on that continent, extending back perhaps beyond the time of the Classical Greeks. Writing such a history is no easy task because it entails discussing a multitude of geographical, socio-economic, climatic, entomological, political and historical issues as well as even-handedly dealing with the accomplishments of numerous people, some of whom were rivals. Because the authors are eminently successful at this and because they tell their story with literary grace, The Rise and Fall of Malaria in Europe is a truly splendid publication.

The book is divided into 16 chapters consisting of an Introduction which places what follows into clear perspective, a chapter on Origins, one on the Historical Record and then 11 chapters dealing in depth with malaria in as many geographic areas of Europe.